ILO supports Kenya to establish migrant workers welfare fund

Nairobi, Kenya (ILO News) - The ILO is actively collaborating with Kenya's Ministry of Labour to establish the Kenya Migrant Workers Welfare Fund (KMWWF), providing both technical and financial support to advance this initiative. In June, the process began with the development of regulations aimed at structuring, implementing, and ensuring the fund's effectiveness. The ILO has provided Kenya with strategic guidance on formulating and implementing social security extension strategies to cover migrant workers. This support includes advising on setting clear objectives that reflect national priorities, identifying protection gaps, and devising ways to close these gaps through coordinated social security schemes. The ILO also recommended complementing social security with active labour market policies, such as vocational training, to ensure holistic support for migrant workers.

© ILO

© ILO

A critical aspect of the KMWWF’s development is the cost structure, which is being carefully designed using data on migrant demographics, such as age, gender, and pay ranges, to establish a sustainable funding model. The ILO’s social protection team is assisting in determining the financial requirements necessary for the fund's successful launch and maintenance. The fund is expected to be supported primarily through membership fees, government contributions, and support from other stakeholders. Over time, the KMWWF aims to cover essential expenses for migrant workers, including repatriation costs, last expenses, and other related needs.

This structured approach is set to culminate in a Rapid Impact Assessment (RIA), which will evaluate the fund’s viability and projected impact. The assessment will provide critical insights to inform further steps in the fund’s development and ensure it is tailored to meet the unique needs of Kenyan migrant workers. Alongside these efforts, the government is working toward securing cabinet approval and the enactment of the Labour Migration Management Bill, which will establish the legal framework necessary for the KMWWF's formalization and sustainability.

Overall, the KMWWF initiative marks a step towards creating a dedicated social security mechanism that safeguards the welfare of Kenya's migrant workers. Through this fund, the ILO and Kenya aim to provide migrant workers with much-needed social protection, allowing them and their families greater financial security and support in times of need. The initiative underscores Kenya's commitment to supporting its diaspora workforce and ensuring that migrant workers have access to critical social benefits, ultimately fostering a safer and more secure labour migration framework.