Principal Secretary for the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to reforming the overseas job recruitment industry to eliminate unscrupulous agencies.
Speaking Thursday during a graduation ceremony for 24 divers from Kerio Valley who completed rigorous training at Bandari Maritime Academy, the PS acknowledged the challenges faced by job seekers, noting that they have received numerous complaints from young people who have fallen victim to deceitful agencies.
“It is our responsibility as a government to clean up this sector. While local job opportunities may be scarce, there are prospects abroad,” he stated.
Mwadime pledged to continue the process of deregistering fraudulent agencies that exploit and deceive unsuspecting Kenyans seeking employment abroad under false pretences.
“To our youth, before you hand over your hard-earned money to any agency, please check the National Employment Authority website. Agencies marked in red are questionable and should be avoided, even if they advertise in print or on social media,” he advised.
“Conversely, those listed in black are legitimate. We acknowledge the challenges that exist; we encounter them daily. However, the government is intensifying its efforts because we understand that if we do not seek job opportunities for our youth, we will not fulfil the mandate for which we were elected,” he added.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to regulating the industry, promising that anyone who has been cheated by these agencies will be reimbursed and that the offenders will be brought to justice.
“Yes, we recognize that many Kenyans are in desperate situations, but we cannot allow them to be taken advantage of,” the PS emphasised.
Mwadime clarified that the government’s role is to facilitate the recruitment of Kenyans for overseas work by bringing together recruitment agencies. He explained that the economy is driven by the private sector, and the government does not have an agency that directly recruits young people for jobs abroad.
“We rely on private recruitment agencies. It’s important to clarify this because there is often misinformation. Our role is purely facilitative,” he stated.
These remarks come just days after Amnesty International released a comprehensive report titled “Locked In, Left Out: The Hidden Lives of Kenyan Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia.” The report highlights the experiences of over 70 women who previously worked as domestic workers in the Gulf nation.
The report urged the government to ensure that its bilateral labour agreement with Saudi Arabia is rights-based and includes clear protections for domestic workers.
These protections should align with international standards and address critical areas such as ethical recruitment, the employer-pays principle, working and living conditions, fair wages, non-discrimination, dispute resolution, and access to justice.
To enhance job opportunities in the maritime sector, PS Mwadime announced that the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs is collaborating with the State Department of Immigration to develop strategies for the efficient issuance of Seafarer’s Identification Documents (SID).
This essential travel document allows seafarers to board vessels for shore leave, transit, transfer, or repatriation in various countries.
“Rest assured, there are positive developments underway. We are working on solutions, and soon, seafarers will receive their documents,” the PS assured.
