The national government has been urged to identify and close all fake recruiting agencies that are responsible for the miseries of Kenyans employed to work in the Middle East and in the Gulf regions.
The National Recruitment Agency Coast region chapter said, some agencies operate without valid licenses hence risking the lives of Kenyans seeking jobs in Middle East countries.
Addressing journalists in Mombasa, the director of Ummu Haitham Overseas Placement Mr Zamzam Mohammed said reputation of certified agencies that have adhered to all recruitment procedures laid down by the National Employment Authority is being destroyed by the fake agencies and it is time for the government to act tough.
“Our agency for example is among those that are duly registered by the government. We pay a license and have all the required government documents for our operation. Unfortunately, there are some other agencies masquerading as recruitment agencies but are fake and dangerous to Kenyans,” she said.
She said legal agencies provide employment opportunities to hundreds of Kenyans seeking jobs in the Middle East and urged the government to increase the number of recruitment training schools throughout the country.
“In 2020 Saudi Arabia contributed over Sh113 billion as wages to Kenyans working in that country and this is something that Kenyans should be proud of,” said Ms Mohammed
National chairperson of recruitment agencies Mr Mwalimu Mwaguzo said they will be forced to name and shame the fake recruitment agencies if the government will not act quickly to address the situation.
He said the Coast chapter has adhered to all the laws required by the Ministry of Labour.
“I want to warn those agents to reduce that pace. Those of you who are opposed to our acting Director General should stop,”
Mr Mwaguzo said there was need for the government to devolve the national employment authority offices to counties.
“The Coast chapter will jointly work together with the Ministry of Labour and the National Employment Authority (NEA) to ensure all agents comply with the laid down procedures,” he said.
