Xinhua, Nairobi :
Kenya on Monday suspended the export of domestic workers to the Middle East and Gulf region amid what a government official said was grwoing cases of mistreatment of Kenyan workers.
Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Services Kazungu Kambi told journalists in Nairobi that the move aims at protecting Kenyan migrant workers from exploitation by their foreign employers.
“Cases of mistreatment of Kenyan workers, particularly the house helps in the Middle East, has been on the rise and continues to attract international and local attention,” Kambi said.
The cabinet secretary also revoked all accreditation certificates issued to private recruitment agencies.
“All private employment agencies will be required to undergo fresh vetting before they are accredited,” he said.
Foreign employment is a major source of jobs for many Kenyans.
The Middle East and the Gulf region remains the key labour destination for Kenyans seeking greener pastures overseas. However, Kenyans recruited to work in those countries face numerous challenges.
“We are currently putting in place measures to protect and safeguard the welfare and dignity of Kenyan migrant workers,” he said.
Kambi noted that the vulnerability of migrant workers to exploitation and abuse in the workplace is further compounded by the fact that many of them often fear seeking redress from authorities.
“This is more so if their status in the country is irregular,” he said.
According to the ministry, information on migrant workers who don’t have proper documentation is not available, making it difficult for the government to offer them assistance.
“Migrant workers in such situations remain highly vulnerable,” he said. Kambi said the proper management of labor migration will require short-term, medium term and long terms measures.
“The long term measures would require legal, institutional and policy interventions,” he said.
