KENYA— Kenya and Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral labour agreement, that will immediately open job opportunities for specialized healthcare workers.

Concurrently, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection announced job vacancies for Kenyan nurses and midwives in Saudi Arabia.

This agreement marks the second government-to-government Labour Agreement for Kenya, following the one signed with the United Kingdom.

Qualified Kenyans who secure these jobs will be offered a one-year renewable contract, earning a minimum salary of over USD 1245.58 per month.

The deal has come after years of meticulous planning and negotiations between the Kenyan Government and the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia to collaborate to enhance safe, regular, and productive labour migration between the two countries.

Geoffrey Kaituko Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development noted that the new initiative will facilitate the employment of thousands of Kenyans in various economic sectors in the KSA.

Moreover, the Kingdom has recognized the quality of professionals from Kenya and has expressed willingness to recruit healthcare workers from the country.

An open call for Kenyans to work in one of the best healthcare systems in the world

In an announcement, the Ministry requested that qualified nursing and midwifery Kenyans submit their applications.

Areas of interest are nursing and medical, surgical, adult intensive care unit (ICU), pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and midwifery.

Applicants are required to fulfil requirements such as a bachelor’s degree in nursing sciences or midwifery, a minimum of two years experience in the field, and a valid police clearance certificate.

The applicants must also possess critical care experience and be registered and licensed members of the Nursing Council of Kenya.

Employed nurses will be offered renewable one-year job contracts, minimum salaries of Sh177,059 per month, 48 hours of work per week, and insurance, among others.

The terms of work for these positions include a 35-day paid vacation, a 48-hour workweek, provided meals and housing, insurance coverage, transportation, and medical costs paid by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health.

Additionally, the benefits package includes a one-year paid round-trip air ticket, uniforms, and paid overtime in accordance with Saudi Arabia’s Labour Laws.

Interested candidates can register as job seekers and submit their applications through the National Employment Authority (NEA) online portal. Detailed information about the recruitment and migration process can be obtained from the Ministry.

Forging a new path in labour relations

The signing of this bilateral labour agreement signifies a departure from the mistreatment and exploitation of Kenyan migrant workers in the Gulf region.

Francis Atwoli, Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), commended the government for this positive step and urged them to expand their engagement in Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements to include domestic workers.

Atwoli emphasized the need for the Ministry of Labour to take full control of Labour Migration and halt the operations of private employment agencies, which he criticized for promoting modern-day slavery.

Atwoli highlighted that engaging directly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia demonstrates the government’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of Kenyan workers seeking employment opportunities abroad.

“The decision to engage directly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signifies the government’s dedication to ensuring the well-being of its citizens who seek employment opportunities abroad,” said Atwoli.

The COTU Sec-Gen also cited other countries such as the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Malaysia that have adopted Bilateral Labour Migration Agreements to replace private employment agencies for all types of employment.

“In supporting this new approach by the Ministry of Labour, COTU (KE) emphasizes the need to widen the scope of the Bilateral Labour Migration Agreement to equally cover all types of employment and not just specialized work,” said Atwoli.

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