By Our Correspondent
Worth Noting:
- On her part, Haika observed that while labour migration is viewed positively for its contribution to development through skills transfer and remittances, more needs to be done to ensure the protection of Kenyans’ constitutional rights and wellbeing.
- During the joint meeting, the Kenyan legislators shared with their counterparts, the existing policies on labour, immigrant workers, and those that govern labour export. These practices include ensuring that all foreign workers attain work permits, a certification from the Higher Education Board, Oversight Mechanism and Community Feedback Mechanisms with the International Organization for Migration to monitor and report unethical recruitment practices and illegal activities by Private Recruitment Agencies.
A delegation from the South African Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Labour and Employment, led by Chairperson ML Dunjwa, yesterday held an engagement with their counterpart Committees in the National Assembly whose mandates cover labour and migrant workers affairs.
The delegation which is in the country on a one-week study tour were hosted by the Departmental Committee on Labour led by Erick Muchangi who is also the MP for Runyenjes, and the Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers chaired by Lydia Haika Mizighi of Taita-Taveta.
The objective of their study tour is to study Kenya’s Labour and employment policies, assess the accountability of immigrants in the Kenyan Labour market, and share best practices on labour migration policy oversight between the two countries.
Muchangi highlighted the increasing number of Kenyans, both skilled and unskilled, seeking employment opportunities in major cities, including South Africa, due to youth unemployment. He also noted that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE are popular labour destinations for Kenya’s semi and unskilled migrant workers.
On her part, Haika observed that while labour migration is viewed positively for its contribution to development through skills transfer and remittances, more needs to be done to ensure the protection of Kenyans’ constitutional rights and wellbeing.
During the joint meeting, the Kenyan legislators shared with their counterparts, the existing policies on labour, immigrant workers, and those that govern labour export. These practices include ensuring that all foreign workers attain work permits, a certification from the Higher Education Board, Oversight Mechanism and Community Feedback Mechanisms with the International Organization for Migration to monitor and report unethical recruitment practices and illegal activities by Private Recruitment Agencies.
The members also informed the delegation of the ongoing efforts towards pre-departure trainings, championing for market driven courses in institutions of higher learning, and improving the labour migration policy and governance.
The presentation by the visiting delegation highlighted the challenges the South African government is grappling with relating to the influx of illegal migrant workers. Dunjwa acknowledged that the situation had caused some discomfort with South Africans given the high number of their citizens who are out of work. While acknowledging the need for the continent to embrace the African Union Protocol on movement of persons, right of residence and right of establishment, she noted that immigration must be streamlined within the established frameworks.
Free movement has been taunted as a means to boost tourism, ease demographic pressure in host countries, and boost cultural exchange. Pundits also believe it would be instrumental in reducing irregular migration, fueled by smugglers and traffickers.
Elizabeth Angira