Report: Saudi Arabia top employer of Kenyans

Principal Secretary State Department for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime before the National Assembly's Labour Commiittee at the Continental house,Nairobi. July 17th,2024 [Elvis Ogina,Standard] The government has facilitated the immigration of more than 200,000 workers abroad since June 2024, according to the National Employment Authority (NEA) report. According to the report titled Foreign Job Placements for Kenyan Workers (2022/2023 - 2023/2024), Saudi Arabia is the top destination for Kenyan workers, with a total of 194,320 placements. Other destinations include Qatar (2,554), the United Arab Emirates (1,374), Turkey (515), Australia (370), Oman (294), Germany (264), Serbia (222), Kuwait (193), and the United States of America/Canada (155). The government has also facilitated placements in Poland (57), Denmark (35), Italy (19), American Samoa (16), Great Britain (5), Bahrain (3), and Albania (3). The report highlights various roles that Kenyans are taking up in these countries. Saudi Arabia is a key employer of domestic workers, drivers, cleaners, babysitters and security guards. Qatar follows closely with job opportunities for cleaners, drivers, and domestic workers. The United Arab Emirates also takes in Kenyans for similar roles. Turkey offers a mix of domestic and professional roles, while Australia presents skilled job opportunities such as windscreen fitters, panel beaters, carpenters, diesel mechanics, auto electricians and motor mechanics. In Oman, Kenyans are primarily employed as domestic workers and cleaners. Germany provides placements for early childhood teachers, food technologists, registered nurses, and agriculture workers. Serbia has openings in general domestic roles, while Kuwait hires domestic workers, cleaners and drivers. The United States and Canada provide general professional opportunities, while Poland offers general job categories. Denmark recruits Kenyans for trainee/internship roles in livestock management, pastry chef positions, and waitress roles. Italy employs Kenyan workers in food service assistance, barista positions, and registered nursing. Other placements include American Samoa, Great Britain (nurses and general roles), Bahrain, and Albania (coffee servers and general job roles). According to the report, female workers dominate the overseas job placements, particularly in domestic roles. However, the number of male workers securing international jobs is steadily increasing. In the 2022/2023 financial year, a total of 98,247 job seekers were placed abroad, comprising 86,457 female workers and 11,790 male workers. The following year saw an increase to 103,878 workers, with 90,221 female and 13,657 male placements. In March last year, the government secured 200 nursing positions in Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health. Labour Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime said the initiative aligns with the government's vision to enhance labour mobility and create one million jobs annually. "We are told that there are five million young people out there without jobs, and our objective is to access as many opportunities as possible," he stated. Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where he flagged off 20 young Kenyans set to work as taxi drivers in Abu Dhabi, Mwadime reiterated the government's dedication to securing foreign employment opportunities. "Currently, about four million Kenyans are working in different countries. As more bilateral agreements are signed, we expect the numbers to rise exponentially," Mwadime said.

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