Empowering Migrant Workers: Achieving Results for the Kenyan Migrant Workers Welfare Fund
Establishing a comprehensive strategy for the Kenyan Migrant Workers Welfare Fund
20 July 2023
From the 23rd to 27th January 2023, various stakeholders gathered in Naivasha, Kenya, to address critical issues and establish a comprehensive strategy for the Kenyan Migrant Workers Welfare Fund. This event yielded significant outcomes, encompassing a clarification on the legal framework for the fund, fostering inclusive stakeholder engagement, establishing a centralised hub for labour migration services, developing online communication channels, enhancing pre-departure orientation, conducting public participation initiatives, as well as investing in migrant workers' skill development.
The meeting consisted of 19 participants drawn from 11 institutions, including the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Central Organization of Trade Union, Federation of Kenya Employers, The National Treasury, International Labour Migration, National Employment Authority (NEA), Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Directorate of Immigration, Kenya Association of Private Employment Agencies (KAPEA), Association of Skilled Migrant Agencies of Kenya (ASMAK).
The workshop ensured a solid foundation for the Kenyan Migrant Workers Welfare Fund by addressing the need for clarity regarding its legal structure. This provided a strong basis for its establishment and operation. Moreover, by involving relevant agencies in the technical committee, the workshop encouraged collaboration among stakeholders, enabling effective coordination and comprehensive governance in the migrant worker ecosystem.
In addition, the workshop also focused on simplifying labour migration processes and improving efficiency. Initiatives such as a dedicated desk for processing migrant workers' passports and a one-stop-shop for government agencies involved in labour migration to streamline services, making the transition for workers smooth and more efficient. The development of an online application for communication with migrant workers was also another initiative underlined to enable swift and accessible information dissemination, ensuring effective engagement and support throughout migrants' journey. The workshop also recognised the importance of pre-departure orientation, equipping migrant workers with vital knowledge and empowering them to navigate their new environments confidently.
The workshop provided a platform for in-depth discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaborative work towards establishing a Migrant Workers Welfare Fund in Kenya. By examining existing models, reviewing benchmarking reports from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam and the Philippines, and tailoring them to the local context, participants made significant progress in developing a model that protects and support migrant workers in the country.
The meeting consisted of 19 participants drawn from 11 institutions, including the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Central Organization of Trade Union, Federation of Kenya Employers, The National Treasury, International Labour Migration, National Employment Authority (NEA), Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Directorate of Immigration, Kenya Association of Private Employment Agencies (KAPEA), Association of Skilled Migrant Agencies of Kenya (ASMAK).
The workshop ensured a solid foundation for the Kenyan Migrant Workers Welfare Fund by addressing the need for clarity regarding its legal structure. This provided a strong basis for its establishment and operation. Moreover, by involving relevant agencies in the technical committee, the workshop encouraged collaboration among stakeholders, enabling effective coordination and comprehensive governance in the migrant worker ecosystem.
In addition, the workshop also focused on simplifying labour migration processes and improving efficiency. Initiatives such as a dedicated desk for processing migrant workers' passports and a one-stop-shop for government agencies involved in labour migration to streamline services, making the transition for workers smooth and more efficient. The development of an online application for communication with migrant workers was also another initiative underlined to enable swift and accessible information dissemination, ensuring effective engagement and support throughout migrants' journey. The workshop also recognised the importance of pre-departure orientation, equipping migrant workers with vital knowledge and empowering them to navigate their new environments confidently.
The workshop provided a platform for in-depth discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaborative work towards establishing a Migrant Workers Welfare Fund in Kenya. By examining existing models, reviewing benchmarking reports from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Vietnam and the Philippines, and tailoring them to the local context, participants made significant progress in developing a model that protects and support migrant workers in the country.