Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Monday, December 9, announced plans to develop a mobile app that will help migrant workers facing mistreatment to contact the government more efficiently.
In a statement on X, Mutua said that this was in a bid to facilitate safe, legal, and dignified migration pathways.
“To further support our migrant workers, we are planning on developing an innovative mobile app that will address distress matters for those who might find themselves in danger or require any form of assistance,” Mutua stated.
“This app will provide a direct line to the government, ensuring timely interventions and protection for our people.”
Labour cabinet secretary Alfred Mutua with foreign job applicants at the Mulango Technical Vocational College in Kitui on November 22, 2024.
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The government plans to reach this goal through partnerships and bilateral agreements that Mutua said have already opened doors for thousands of Kenyans to work abroad.
Speaking at the Jamhuri National Jobs Fair at KICC, the CS also reiterated that even though labour export was a great resource for Kenya, no citizen was being forced to take that step.
“Labour migration is not about forcing anyone to leave—it is about empowering those who choose to explore opportunities overseas. If you make the decision to work abroad, we are here to support you every step of the way,” he explained.
This revelation comes at a time when the ministry has been receiving backlash for sending thousands of Kenyans abroad for menial jobs.
In a nationwide recruitment drive spanning several weeks, the government has held recruitment for jobs in Qatar, Australia, Canada as well as Europe.
On Thursday, December 5, the government advertised 500 nanny jobs in Saudi Arabia along with 600 bodaboda rider jobs in the United Arab Emirates triggering a barrage of angry reactions from Kenyans.
The applicants, who have had the chance to attend recruitments in their various counties at the various recruitment centres, have also decried the rampant extortion by agents and the low quality of jobs on offer.
“Some of the agents are asking for processing fees…they are asking for between Ksh150,000 and Ksh180,000. We do not have that kind of money so we do not know why we are here,” one of the applicants at the Nakuru recruitment said on November 26.
“Something like riding a bicycle or a motorbike is not something to go to Dubai to do. It is something that can be done in the country. Let the government be creative. Let the tax be used to create jobs for Kenyans here,” he added.
Meanwhile, CS Mutua continues to claim that the recruitment is free of any such misdirections.
“We are building systems to ensure that recruitment processes are transparent and fair while protecting the rights and welfare of our workers. Together, we can unlock new horizons for Kenyan talent,” Mutua said.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua during the East African Employability Summit at KICC on Tuesday, October 29. PHOTO/ Alfred Mutua