The National Assembly Committee on Labour, chaired by Hon. Ken Chonga (Kilifi South), met today with officials from the State Department for Labour and Skills Development to discuss the proposed migration and mobility agreement between Kenya and Germany.
Led by Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime, the State Department briefed the committee on the comprehensive pact aimed at facilitating the migration of skilled Kenyan workers to Germany.
The agreement targets individuals who have completed vocational training or possess a university degree, creating pathways for them to access job opportunities abroad.
“For the first time, we are going to send skilled Kenyans abroad to tap on job opportunities existing in foreign countries,” said Mwadime, highlighting the potential economic benefits of the agreement.
The bilateral deal also seeks to strengthen cooperation and information exchange on labour mobility, student training, labour market needs, employment, and the welfare of workers.
However, Hon. Chonga expressed concerns over potential language barriers, emphasizing that most Kenyans primarily speak English, which may hinder their integration in Germany, a predominantly German-speaking nation.
“Most Kenyans only speak English and this could be a big disadvantage in getting job opportunities, especially in Germany where they don’t speak the language,” he observed.
In response, the PS assured the committee that the government is taking steps to address the issue.
“Plans are underway to train interested Kenyans in the German language, and we are engaging local training institutions to incorporate German in their curricula,” Mwadime said.
He also urged job seekers to be cautious when dealing with employment agencies.
“Despite efforts put in place to enlighten Kenyans and caution them on possible rogue agencies, some still fall victim to unfortunate incidents,” he warned.
The committee committed to do more scrutiny into the Agreement and address any matters arising to ensure the partnership benefits Kenyan workers while safeguarding their interests and well being.
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