Faith Nyasuguta
The promise of lucrative job opportunities abroad has led to a surge of Kenyan refugees in Qatar, with 5,000 individuals currently stranded due to unfulfilled job promises and exploitation by rogue agents.
This alarming situation was revealed by Kenya’s Labor and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua, on Sunday. He disclosed that these victims were flown to the Gulf State during the World Cup period with promises of employment that never materialized.
“Currently, we’ve got 5,000 Kenyans stuck in Qatar living as refugees. They were taken there during the World Cup period. Some of the promised jobs they have never realized, and because they have paid Sh200,000 to Sh250,000, they have refused to come back until they get a job,” Mutua stated. He added that the International Organization for Migration is currently feeding these stranded Kenyans every day due to the deceitful actions of rogue agents in the country.
Mutua emphasized his commitment to addressing this issue and purging the system of fraudulent agents who have been preying on unsuspecting Kenyans. “We have asked people to do this: come and when you are interviewed, you pay nothing at all. Once you pass your second interview and get the job, there are fees you will need to pay. For example, nobody will pay for you to do medicals and other small process costs which you know where they are going,” he elaborated.
The Cabinet Secretary recounted a recent incident where more than 20,000 Kenyans turned up for a government-announced recruitment exercise, only to find that rogue agents had infiltrated the process. These agents were discovered acquiring passports from hopeful candidates, with the intention of charging them fees.
“On the first day at KICC, we had agents who came who were not part of the process and started to charge people. We discovered a vehicle with about 40 passports already collected so that they can give money,” Mutua revealed.
Kenya’s history of exporting labor is well-documented. In February, 1,500 Kenyan laborers were set to be sent to Israel on three-year renewable contracts, with a guaranteed net monthly income of $1,500. This move came despite the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Kenya had already sent 1,500 workers, alongside Malawi, which had sent over 221 workers. Some Kenyans supported the deal, arguing that it created jobs at a time when the East African nation is grappling with high unemployment rates and escalating living expenses.
Months ago, the Kenyan and German governments collaborated on a deal that had the potential to send about 250,000 Kenyans to Berlin to fill gaps in the European country’s labor market. This collaboration highlighted the growing trend of Kenya exporting labor to various parts of the world.
The World Bank report has also highlighted a shift in Kenya’s labor export trends. The historic export of low- and semi-skilled labor is gradually giving way to an increase in skilled labor exports, particularly in technology and finance. The report noted that over time, net services exports have grown significantly, now surpassing net exports of products.
The current crisis in Qatar, however, highlights the darker side of labor exportation, where individuals are lured by the promise of better opportunities only to find themselves in dire circumstances. The exploitation by rogue agents has left many Kenyans vulnerable and desperate.
As the Kenyan government works to address this issue, there is a pressing need for stricter regulations and oversight to protect citizens from fraudulent practices. Ensuring that the recruitment process is transparent and fair is crucial in preventing such exploitation in the future. The plight of the 5,000 Kenyans in Qatar is a reminder of the risks involved in seeking opportunities abroad and the importance of safeguarding the welfare of labor migrants.
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