Labour CS Kazungu Kambi cancels permits for Saudi job firms

Labour minister Kazungu Kambi (right) and his Principal Secretary Ali Ismail address the Press at their offices in Nairobi on September 29, 2014. Mr Kambi revoked licences for agencies recruiting Kenyans to work in the Middle East. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• The move could mean Kenyans whose contracts ended on Monday will be stranded in their host countries.
• However, an association of about 200 agencies opposed the move.

By SAMUEL KARANJA

Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi has revoked the licences of agencies recruiting Kenyans to work in the Middle East.

The agencies also face major losses running into millions of shillings after Mr Kambi also temporarily suspended the recruitment and movement of domestic workers to the Gulf region and Middle East.

Citing the existence of many briefcase agencies and the suffering of migrant workers, Mr Kambi said the 930 firms would have to undergo rigorous vetting before acquiring licenses.

This could mean Kenyans whose contracts ended on Monday will be stranded in their host countries as they wait for the agencies to undergo fresh and thorough vetting by the government.

Others travelling to their work stations from Kenya through the firms will also miss their job opportunities following the ban.

“The government has a responsibility to protect its citizens including those who are outside the country. In view of the foregoing, the government has decided to revoke all accreditation certificates issued to private employment agencies,” said Mr Kambi during a press conference at his Nairobi office.

The minister said the move would enable the government put in place “adequate structures” for the effective management of labour migration and protection of migrant workers.

MOVE 'WRONG'

However, an association of about 200 agencies opposed the move saying as much as there were clandestine firms and several cases of violation against Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, the government’s action to cast a blanket ban even on genuine agencies was wrong.

Kenya Association of Private Employment Agencies (Kapea) secretary Hussein Adnan said the government should have given the agencies a grace period of one month before announcing the ban.

“We are shocked by the move and we have no yet received communication from the ministry. We met with the Cabinet Secretary last week and we agreed that he would vet us afresh only for him to revoke our licenses today (Monday)” Mr Adnan told the Nation by phone.

“We do not just send domestic workers to those countries, we also send expatriates including former army officers who get employed in countries like Afghanistan,” he added.