The government is targeting at least 10,000 Kenyan workers for employment in Saudi Arabia every month under a new agreement aimed at reducing recruitment costs and creating more overseas job opportunities.
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua announced the plan on Saturday, November 14, following a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister for Human Resources and Social Development, Dr Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, in Riyadh.
The two officials signed a Letter of Intent establishing a framework for cooperation in the recruitment of Kenyan workers to the Gulf country.
The agreement provides for a three-month pilot programme that will introduce a ceiling on recruitment costs charged to Kenyans seeking jobs in Saudi Arabia.
Mutua said the arrangement would help address the high fees that have forced many job seekers to spend large amounts of money before securing overseas employment.
“Our position was that reducing these costs would allow workers to retain more of their earnings, save and invest in their future, while making overseas employment more accessible,” he said.
The targeted opportunities will cover several sectors, including transport, hospitality, education, healthcare, construction, retail and oil and gas.
Some of the jobs expected to be covered include drivers, teachers, tutors, medical practitioners and construction workers.
Mutua said recruitment agencies in both countries would participate in the pilot voluntarily. Those willing to operate within the agreed cost ceiling will be eligible to take part.
However, the Cabinet Secretary did not disclose the proposed recruitment cost ceiling or provide a breakdown of the expected vacancies.
He directed the National Employment Authority (NEA) to invite interested recruitment agencies to submit their details and supporting documents for consideration by Saudi authorities.
The Kenyan government will facilitate compliance by participating agencies, assess the readiness of medical centres and speed up the processing of candidates’ documents.
Saudi Arabia will work with its embassy in Nairobi to facilitate faster visa processing and the onboarding of employers and recruitment agencies.
Mutua also warned Kenyans against dealing with unlicensed recruitment agents who promise overseas jobs without proper documentation.
“Only deal with recruitment agencies duly licensed by the National Employment Authority (NEA),” he cautioned.
He said the government would take action against agents involved in fraudulent recruitment, exploitation and human trafficking.
The two governments will review the pilot after three months to assess the number of workers recruited and determine whether the arrangement should be extended.
The announcement is expected to attract interest from Kenyans seeking employment abroad, although the monthly target does not amount to confirmed vacancies or an open recruitment exercise.