State commits to streamline current labour migration
Business
By
Marion Kithi
| Aug 24, 2024
State Labour and Skills Development PS Shadrack Mwadime has stated that Kenya will secure bilateral agreements to protect its citizens working in foreign countries.
Mwadime refuted claims that the government is obsessed with sending Kenyans abroad before ensuring that the working environments in those countries are safe for them.
He said labour migration contributes to the growth and development of the country's economy, and the government will work to secure international positions for Kenyan graduates across various professions.
READ MORE
No exam retake: It's do or die for Form Three class as 8-4-4 ends
In pictures: Valentine's Day, the Standard Group way
Mudavadi jets to Addis for AU meet on water security
Vietnam partners with G42 to build national AI and cloud infrastructure
Faith Odhiambo: Two years of bold leadership at LSK
Junior Starlets players dominate Kenya U20 team
Why Coast traders want Senate to throw out Tobacco Bill
Warrant of arrest issued against billionaire Joginder Singh in Sh400m land case
Majority of Kenyans dissatisfied with new CBC curriculum, Infotrak survey
"When these Kenyans work in foreign countries, they invest back home where their families are, and that is how the government earns and fosters economic growth," said Mwadime.
He added that next month, Kenya will sign a bilateral labour agreement with Germany to enable IT experts, medical doctors, and engineers to be absorbed into various industries in Germany.
The PS mentioned that the government is working with Germany to streamline visa processing for Kenyans.
"We want Kenyans to migrate in an organized way, and the government is determined to ensure that the interests of young people are taken care of," said Mwadime.
Diaspora remittances are currently the largest foreign exchange earners for the country, having overtaken tea, coffee, and tourism.
Data from the Central Bank of Kenya indicates that remittances totalled $4.2 billion (Sh678.3 billion) in the 12 months to October 2023, marking a 4.2 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2022.
Kenyans living and working abroad sent home Sh54.3 billion ($355 million) in November last year, with remittance inflows expected to grow as more Kenyans seek employment abroad.
In addition, Mwadime said the state will deploy seven more labour attaches to create a safe, fair, regular, and productive working environment in the diaspora.
He also refuted claims of a medical brain drain, stating that many graduates are still in the pipeline.