The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has strengthened safeguards for Kenyan workers, particularly domestic workers in the gulf country.
According to a statement issued by Kenya’s Ministry of Labour, some of the new initiatives include the implementation of a wage protection program and the establishment of a distress alert line for security agencies.
This follows reports of Kenyan migrant workers being killed and tortured in Saudi Arabia.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia implemented a labor reform initiative in 2021 that allowed employees to change employers.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has supplemented the initiative with some measures to ensure worker safety.
According to a statement from Kenya’s Ministry of Labour, the upgraded initiative includes the establishment of a protection and support department under the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development to handle complaints from migrant workers, recruitment agencies, and embassies.
Activating the alternative dispute resolution mechanism, which includes ensuring that cases referred to court are resolved within 21 days, is another measure.
The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has also established a complaints and communication channel through which any dissatisfied migrant worker can send an alert to security agencies using the unified number 19911.
To ensure ethical recruitment, the Kenyan government has established an Oversight and Community Feedback Mechanism to facilitate continuous monitoring of private employment agencies.
A toll-free number, 0800222223, has also been established, as has a web portal.
Before signing any contract, the Kenyan government now requests that recruitment agencies inform all Kenyans migrating to Saudi Arabia of the necessary precautions.
