Kenyan Government has stepped up efforts to expand opportunities for its skilled workforce abroad while strengthening worker protection frameworks following high-level engagements at the Global Labour Market Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The conference, organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and hosted by the Government of Saudi Arabia, brought together global leaders and policymakers to discuss reforms aimed at streamlining labour markets, with a strong focus on the safe, orderly, and ethical movement of workers across borders.
Speaking after attending the forum, Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection Dr. Alfred Mutua, said discussions centred on advancing skilled migration, improving labour governance, and enhancing youth empowerment as part of Kenya’s broader employment and development agenda.
On the sidelines of the conference, Kenya held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where talks focused on expanding employment opportunities for skilled Kenyan workers, who remain in high demand in the Gulf region.
The discussions also emphasised the promotion of ethical recruitment practices and stronger protection of migrant workers in line with ILO standards.
According to CS Mutua, key proposals included improved skill matching and mutual recognition of Kenyan technical and university qualifications to ensure fair remuneration based on education, skills, and experience rather than nationality. The talks also explored the establishment of clear job banding systems to guarantee that workers are recruited and compensated according to their competencies.
Labour CS further explored the signing and strengthening of Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs) as a mechanism to unlock more job opportunities while safeguarding the rights and welfare of Kenyan workers abroad.
During the conference, Government showcased its flagship NYOTA Programme, which aims to empower young people through access to small and medium enterprise (SME) financing, skills development, Recognition of Prior Learning, and the Haba Kwa Haba savings initiative. The programme drew strong interest from delegates, with the World Bank recognised as a key partner in its implementation.
Dr. Mutua also engaged leaders of the Kenyan diaspora in Saudi Arabia to discuss employment opportunities, the safety and welfare of Kenyans abroad, and challenges affecting the community, including cases of criminal behaviour that have led to the incarceration of some nationals.
The conference also examined the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence on the future of work, with participants agreeing that transferable and practical skills will become increasingly valuable in complementing formal academic qualifications.
Mutua said insights from the conference will inform ongoing labour reforms aimed at protecting workers, enhancing global competitiveness, and ensuring that migration delivers inclusive economic benefits.
