In a statement posted on his Instagram page on Saturday, November 16, 2024, Salasya expressed his concerns, noting the need to create job opportunities within the country.
“Even the rain could not stop me from giving my passionate message of why we should never allow our young girls to go to Saudia to work because we can create our own jobs as a country,” Salasya declared.
Salasya’s remarks come as the government continues to seek job opportunities for the unemployed abroad.
On September 20, 2024, Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Alfred Mutua announced a series of reforms designed to enhance job opportunities while ensuring the safety and dignity of Kenyan workers in the Gulf region.
The reforms include the introduction of a new licensing system for recruitment agencies. Agencies will now pay Ksh500,000 for an initial one-year registration or Ksh250,000 for renewal, a move aimed at weeding out rogue operators.
“These changes will take effect from September 23, and those currently holding renewal notifications can also benefit from this reform. To ensure compliance, the National Employment Authority (NEA) has fully staffed its compliance section to enforce these new regulations.”
He also mentioned that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is actively investigating unscrupulous agencies involved in the exploitation of job seekers.
Mutua highlighted restructuring pre-departure and homecare training for workers. He said the training had been condensed into a practical 14-day programme, with a reduced cost of Ksh14,000. This training focuses on preparing workers for cultural and professional demands in the Gulf region. A model Arabic-style house is also being set up in Nairobi and Mombasa to familiarize domestic workers with Gulf households.
Additionally, he said the government is expanding job categories beyond domestic work to include professional fields such as healthcare, engineering, and hospitality. This initiative, he said aims to provide more opportunities for Kenyan graduates.
“We want more Kenyan graduates in various fields to access these opportunities,” Mutua stated.
Mutua said the government aims to deploy up to 10,000 workers weekly under these measures, aligning with its strategy to enhance labour mobility and economic growth.
“My target is to get 5,000 to 10,000 people out of the country every single week. So there are several things we have decided to do, like talking to the financial institutions so that they can be able to give them credit,” Mutua stated.
