2023-09-08 18:55:00
(Ecofin Agency) – Kenya has around 4 million migrant workers in the diaspora, according to the government. Kenyan authorities believe that a social protection regime will help protect migrant workers and maximize the development benefits of labor migration.
Kenya’s labor ministry is considering a proposal that could force all diaspora workers to pay compulsory contributions to a state welfare scheme, local media reported.
This diet, known as “ Kenya Migrant Workers Welfare Fund ”, aims to provide assistance to migrant workers, including disability benefits, medical assistance and survivor benefits in the event of the death of a migrant worker.
Concretely, each migrant worker will have to register with the fund before leaving the country for employment abroad. Emergency fees paid by private employment agencies will also be paid into the fund. The contribution rate of each migrant worker will be set by regulations which will be published subsequently.
« This policy aims to promote good governance in labor migration, protect migrant workers, promote their well-being and that of their families, and maximize the benefits of labor migration. work in the development “, declared Florence Bore (photo), Cabinet Secretary for Labor, quoted by The Star.
Ms Bore also indicated that the East African country has around four million workers in the diaspora including 92,000 in the IGAD region and 152,700 in the East African Community (EAC). .
These individuals play a crucial role in supporting the country’s economy through remittances as a source of foreign exchange for Kenya in addition to foreign direct investment. In July, remittances amounted to more than $378 million, according to Central Bank data.
However, the Kenyan official was quick to point out that while labor migration has its benefits, certain challenges continue to erode the gains that would have been made in this sector. These include, among other things, the violation of the rights of migrant workers, human trafficking and child labor as well as restrictions on freedom of expression and movement in certain countries.
If this proposal is approved, Kenya will follow in the footsteps of countries with large populations of diaspora workers, such as the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which have already established similar funds.
Charlène N’dimon (intern)
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