Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli calls upon the government to speed and address Kenyans’ issues working in the foreign country.
In his address on Monday, Atwoli asked the Ministries of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that the less qualified agencies are revoked to protect the Kenyans seeking to work in Saudi Arabia.
“That many innocent Kenyans have been tortured to death while others have been subjected to slave like standards of life whilst in a foreign land is not in question. Notorious for these acts are countries in the Middle East and specifically Saudi Arabia” He said.
Atwoli added that corruption had been the key course of many Kenyans ending up in rogue agencies that misdirect desperate Kenyans looking for jobs in foreign countries. He stated that officials in authorities are bribed and receive bribes to facilitate the transportation of innocent Kenyans to a foreign land for torture in the name of employment.
“Reading stories, watching news and viewing images of how innocent Kenyans are suffering in a foreign land in the name of seeking greener pastures is extremely heart wrenching. It is not just painful for the Labour Movement fraternity in the country when young boys and girls come back in coffins but I believe it is equally disturbing to any Kenyan who loves his country and its people” He added
The Secretary-General insisted on the establishment of bilateral agreements with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a way of solving the issue.
In addition, agreements be signed to protect the Kenyans citizens in the foreign country and post more Labour attachés to countries in the Middle East, where many Kenyans are present to protect their rights.
In conclusion, Atwoli urged the government to introduce policies that will accelerate job creation for Kenyans to work within their country.
Which other ways can the Government consider in protecting Citizens working in the Diaspora?
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