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Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli now wants the government to delist private agencies recruiting Kenyans for jobs in the Middle East.

Atwoli said the Ministry of Labour should take over the management of labour migration to avoid abuse of Kenyans who work in Saudi Arabia and other countries.

The trade unionist said most of the agencies engaged in malpractices.

“The Ministry of Labour should take full charge of Labour Migration and forthwith stop the operations of private employment agencies which have been promoting modern day slavery,” Atwoli said in a statement.

He was reacting to reports that the Kenyan and Saudi Arabian governments had signed a labour migration agreement.

The Cotu boss said the step marks a positive shift in the management of labour migration, which had previously been run by private employment agencies, and highlights the commitment to safeguard the rights and welfare of Kenyan workers.

“The agreement effectively addresses concerns related to private employment agencies which have, in most instances, been associated with unethical practices and mistreatment of Kenyan workers,” Atwoli said.

On Tuesday, State Department for Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Geoffrey Kaituko said the collaboration between Kenya and Saudi Arabia would enhance safe and productive labour migration while providing opportunities for Kenyans to work in various sectors in the Middle Eastern country.

“The Government of Kenya is collaborating with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in enhancing safe, regular, and productive labour migration between the two countries. This initiative has facilitated employment of thousands of Kenyans in various economic sectors in the KSA which has expressed willingness to recruit additional healthcare workers from Kenya,” the PS said in a statement.

There have been numerous complaints by Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia over  sexual harassment, torture and forced labour, some which have ended in deaths.

In August 2022, Migrant-Rights.org, a lobby group, reported on the plight of Kenyan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia through the testimonies of a number of workers who were physically and sexually assaulted, overworked, deprived of food, and threatened with death.