Kenya and Saudi Arabia have agreed to review domestic worker recruitment costs.
Labour CS Alfred Mutua says the pilot will assess recruitment costs for Kenyan domestic workers seeking jobs in Saudi Arabia.
Kenya and Saudi Arabia have agreed to review recruitment fees through a three-month pilot for Kenyan domestic workers seeking jobs in the Kingdom.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua announced the agreement after meeting Saudi Vice Minister for Labour Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain in Riyadh. He said both countries signed a letter of intent providing for voluntary fees based on market cost competitiveness.
The arrangement aims to keep Kenya competitive with neighbouring countries and other nations that send workers abroad. It also seeks to expand employment opportunities for Kenyans in Saudi Arabia.
Recruitment fees review accompanies wider reforms
Mutua said the talks also produced a technical annex to the countries’ bilateral agreement on domestic worker recruitment. The annex sets out simpler recruitment procedures, lower costs and the use of integrated technology.
In addition, it seeks to strengthen rules governing contractual relationships between employers and domestic workers. It aims to improve awareness of each side’s rights and obligations.
Mutua said the framework should improve recruitment services and efficiency while ensuring compliance with approved employment regulations. Meanwhile, the two countries discussed the welfare, pay and working conditions of Kenyans employed in Saudi Arabia.
The pilot forms part of broader efforts to regulate overseas recruitment and improve access to the Saudi labour market.
