PS Njogu, UK Labour Authority discuss protection of Kenyan migrant workers

Diaspora Affairs PS Roseline Njogu during meeting [ROSELINE NJOGU/X]

Diaspora Affairs PS Roseline Njogu met with the United Kingdom’s Labour Abuse Authority (LAA) in London in a meeting aimed at strengthening collaboration on the protection of Kenyan migrant workers.

The two parties held discussions centred on labour exploitation and human trafficking, with the PS reaffirming Kenya’s dedication to safeguarding the rights and welfare of its citizens working abroad.

“Key points included establishing a strategic partnership to facilitate structured cooperation in information sharing, victim support, and monitoring labour recruitment practices,” PS Roseline stated.

Further, the PS and LAA officials highlighted the urgent need to address recruitment costs that often result in debt bondage among migrant workers.

They also agreed on the importance of distributing educational materials to inform workers about their rights and available channels for redress.

The engagement will see the State Department for Diaspora Affairs’ (SDDA) protection initiatives bolstered by leveraging the UK’s expertise and infrastructure in labour rights enforcement.

Through collaboration with the LAA, SDDA aims to create a safer environment for Kenyan workers in the UK, promote ethical recruitment, and reduce the risk of human trafficking via enhanced oversight and awareness.

Among the attendees of the meeting was Deputy Head of Mission at the Kenya High Commission in London Joseph Warui, Secretary for Skills, Investments and Entrepreneurship Isaiah Kabira, Director of Legal Affairs Dick Safari, First Counsellor Ali Mambo and Foreign Service Officer Cohen Mung'ala.

The meeting comes a week after civil society organisations joined growing calls for the abolishment of the Kafala system in the Gulf countries, where Kenyan migrant workers have fallen victim.

Amnesty International and Trace Kenya said the system fosters the exploitation of migrant workers and promotes racism.

“We are calling for the unequivocal dismantling of the Kafala Sponsorship System that binds foreign workers to employers, that fosters exploitation and perpetuates racism,” Amnesty International Kenya executive director Houghton Irungu said.

Trace Kenya director Paul Adoch said the Kafala system has caused untold suffering for Kenyan migrant workers, especially those from the Coast region.