Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore says Kenya is focused on seeking jobs opportunities abroad to address high unemployment among young people.

Speaking yesterday in an interview, Bore said Kenyans working abroad send home more money than earnings from tea, coffee and tourism.

“We have about four million Kenyans working in other countries and the kind of remittances the government gets from them is very high and has overtaken the foreign exchange we get from coffee, tea and even tourism,” she said.

The CS also said that labour migration has a huge economic potential for both the government and individuals working abroad.

“That is why we want to focus on streamlining labour migration and we have set up a labour desk at JKIA to ensure that all those who will be going to work outside the country are well secured and will be working in a smooth, fair and conducive environment,” she said.

Bore also urged youths to log into the website of the National Employment Authority (NEA) where ministries post jobs opportunities outside the country. “There are jobs orders which are kept in that platform and youths can access them,” she explained.

She, however, stated that no one is required to pay to access jobs opportunities.

“Just log into NEA and apply for the job that suits you and your profession. Do not pay any amount of money,” she said.

Bilateral agreements

Bore added that the government doesn’t encourage corruption. “Kenyans should not give money to agencies who offer jobs abroad. In fact report that matter when it arises,” the CS.

Bore disclosed that the government had signed four bilateral labour agreements while 19 were yet to be finalised.

She said bilateral labour agreements between Kenya and other countries ensure that workers are not exploited or mistreated.

“These bilateral labour agreements between Kenya and other countries ensure Kenyans are not overworked,” Bore said.

She added that the Kenya Kwanza government had negotiated for better terms for workers in the diaspora.

“Recently we negotiated salaries for nurses we were recruiting to go and work in Saudi Arabia,” she said.