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Sunday, September 18, 2022 –Kenyans living and working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could have something to smile about following stringent measures now put in place to safeguard their lives.
Homenews.co.ke has learnt through Kenya’s Ministry of Labour that thousands working in Saudia Arabia will be scaled by the introduction of a ‘wage protection program’.
They will also have a direct emergency or distress alert line to law enforces in that country so that anytime they feel threatened, they can be saved as fast as it can be possible.
There will also be formed a protection and support department which will fall under the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development. It will be mandated to handle complaints from workers as well as recruitment agencies.
Saudi Arabia government added that it is reforming labour laws that could allow migrant workers to switch employees when they are harassed.
The government is also going to activate the alternative dispute resolution mechanism that allows cases referred to courts to be acted upon with speed.
Back in Kenya, the government has strengthened departments to make sure recruitment of such workers happen in accordance with the law.
There will also be a continuous feedback mechanism that will ensure private employment agencies are strictly monitored so that they do not veer off the set guidelines.
Additionally, the employment agencies will have to make sure Kenyans seeking employment in the gulf countries have read and understood the new safety and labour measures before they sign a contract.
A toll-free line 0800222223 and a web portal that will help report migrant workers’ distress cases were also set up.
This progress is staking shape so fast after a 24-year-old Kenyan student, Diana Chepkemoi’s was flown back to Kenya after her worrying case made headlines around the world.
Chekemoi’s photos which circulated very fast online captured her haggard and desperate state of affairs while under her employer.
She has since been flown back to Kenya and back at school.
