“I Will Still Look For a Job in Middle East Even With The Ban,” Job Seeker Says

By Jane Okoth

Desperation and joblessness is probably one of the reasons why Kenyans would leave the comfort of their motherland and travel to unknown destinations abroad in search of employment.

The result is Kenyans returning to the country more broken than ever with some citing harsh working conditions and mistreatment by their employers.

Despite reports of gory incidents such as workers mistreatment and even the death of some, people are still hell-bent on going to work abroad.

It will be interesting to see a turn of events and relief by Kenyan workers, thanks to a decision made by labor Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi.

The capital news reports that the cabinet secretary has appointed a special task force to guide the ministry on how to regulate employment agencies engaged in recruitment of Kenyans for job opportunities in foreign countries.

According to capital, the CS said the 11-member team’s mandate will be to advise the government on the vetting, licensing and even regulating requirements of all the recruitment agencies.

Capital further reported that Kambi said the move is aimed at protecting the rights of employees who have been exposed to unscrupulous agencies.

The CS says in the meantime, the ban on the on the export of domestic workers to the Middle East and the Gulf region is still in force.

This makes one to wonder Will Kenyans Stop Going to Middle East Even As Kambi sets up a team?

“Not a chance, confesses Stanley Moturi, a job seeker in Nairobi.

“Every day I go through newspapers hoping that there is a chance for me there. Since our country Kenya does not want to offer us jobs, I will not stop applying no matter how many times we are banned from travelling to the Middle East.

He adds that, “I have some friends who went to the  Middle East some years back and I think they are doing well and also supporting their families here.” .

Gladys Cheruiyot a teacher at a secondary school in the Nairobi thinks that young people need to rethink their decisions about going to the Middle East.

“It is very risky. Why would you risk your life going to an unknown country in the name of employment?” she asks.

“Furthermore I have seen many people return back to the country after realizing that home is always best. I am sure you can find an alternative thing to do” she opines.

Paul Kibet, an employee with a transporting company at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport can confirm this.

“I work at the airport and I see these things every day. I see Kenyan domestic workers mostly women coming back to Kenya after things went wrong in the Middle East.

“You know the problem is that most of them are promised heaven and they actually believe it. It is a pity” he says.

What about you? Have you ever applied to work in the Middle East or are you planning to?

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