Labour and Diaspora Affairs Committee’s Hold Joint Sitting on the National Labour Migration
The Committee on Labour alongside the Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers held a joint meeting to deliberate on the National Policy on Labour Migration.
In a session co-chaired by Hon. Erick Muchangi and Hon. Lydia Haika, legislators acknowledged the need to develop a comprehensive legal framework through the development of a Labour Migration Management Bill, bolstering the existing regulations.
The National Policy on Labour Migration advocates for the ratification and domestication of pertinent international instruments governing labour migration.
Additionally, it calls for an overhaul of the vetting and registration process for Private Employment Agencies. Notably, the implementation of proactive measures such as the deployment of labor attaches in destination countries and the establishment of secure shelters for distressed migrant workers emerged as key components of the proposed policy.
During the discourse, Lawmakers’ sought clarity on the progress of the envisioned National Inter-Agency Labour Migration Coordination Committee, slated for establishment by June 2023.
Scrutiny was also directed at the Ministry’s ongoing review of the Private Employment Agencies Regulations, 2016, and the Code of Conduct for Private Employment Agencies, raising inquiries about the status of this crucial process as of the stipulated timeline in September 2023.
While acknowledging the strides made, the Members of the Committee on Labour and the Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers identified critical gaps within the policy, highlighting the absence of provisions for legal aid in host countries, a comprehensive crisis response mechanism for conflict-related situations, and the need for a proactive approach to address labor concerns aggravated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Post Author
