Justice sector stakeholders have called for stronger national, regional and international cooperation to protect workers’ rights amid increased labour mobility and changes in the world of work.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the fourth Employment and Labour Relations Annual Symposium and Exhibition (ELRASE IV) at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime said labour migration governance must protect workers throughout the migration cycle.
Mwadime said labour mobility should encompass skills development, access to decent employment and safe, orderly and regular migration pathways. He noted that government programmes cover migrant workers from pre-employment and deployment to their return and reintegration.
The PS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing Bilateral Labour Agreements and other mechanisms aimed at facilitating labour mobility while safeguarding Kenyan workers.
Employment and Labour Relations Court Principal Judge Monica Mbaru said the symposium highlighted vulnerabilities facing migrant workers, including unfair recruitment practices, contractual exploitation, wage abuse, unsafe workplaces, discrimination, trafficking, forced labour and unfair termination.
Justice Mbaru called for stronger judicial research, improved access to courts, greater use of technology and alternative dispute resolution, as well as better coordination of labour migration policies.
She said crossing borders should not prevent workers from accessing justice, urging the development of coherent jurisprudence to address cross-border employment disputes.
The three-day symposium brought together the Judiciary, government, employers, workers’ organisations, recruitment agencies, civil society and development partners to explore reforms for an inclusive and effective labour justice system.
