Kenya Advances Migrant Workers Welfare Fund Development through Stakeholder Consultations

From November 18 to 22, 2024, the Kenyan State Department for Labour and Skills Development, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), hosted a pivotal stakeholder consultative workshop in Naivasha, Kenya. The workshop reviewed the findings of an actuarial and costings study for the Kenyan Migrant Workers Welfare Fund (KMWWF) and the draft regulations for its establishment under the Labour Migration Management Bill. This initiative is part of Kenya’s broader efforts to ensure the protection and welfare of its migrant workers and their families.

The workshop brought together 40 participants, including representatives from key government agencies, social partners, private sector actors, and civil society organizations. It represented a pivotal moment in advancing the KMWWF, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to address longstanding gaps in the protection and support of Kenyan migrant workers abroad.

The KMWWF was conceived as a safety net for Kenyan migrant workers, offering benefits such as calamity assistance, legal aid, repatriation support, and reintegration programs. As remittances from migrant workers continue to be a significant source of foreign exchange for Kenya, ensuring their welfare is critical. The KMWWF aims to provide a contributory model where workers, recruitment agencies, and the government collaborate to fund and manage the initiative.

The workshop featured detailed presentations, group discussions, and plenary sessions focused on refining the KMWWF’s framework and regulations. Participants reviewed the draft Labour Migration Management Bill and considered the costing study’s findings, which highlighted the financial viability of the fund and its proposed benefit structures.

The workshop concluded with the development of a roadmap for the KMWWF’s establishment and operationalization. Key milestones include the preparation of a Cabinet memo, approval of the bill by the National Assembly, and the fund’s official launch by December 2025. Participants emphasized the need for a dedicated implementation team to drive the process, along with investments in data collection and system interoperability.