Kenyans in the diaspora: the labor situation.

One of the major challenges Kenya faces in 2016 is high unemployment.

Vision 2030 requires Kenya to create a globally competitive and adaptive human resource base that can meet the demands of a rapidly industrializing economy. The constitution advocates decent work, where freely chosen productive employment is promoted alongside fundamental rights.

Achieving Vision 2030 depends largely on the availability of a qualified workforce to boost the country’s productivity. Kenya has progressively moved to deal with the unemployment crisis and employ-ability of her youth.

According to the World Bank, Kenya’s unemployment rate has continued to rise from 1995 to date. The problem is compounded by general factors in the Global South, including rapid population growth, low and unsustainable economic growth, structural rigidity and knee-jerk interventions that are poorly coordinated and based on weak institutional and legal framework.

To correct this, the government has strengthened the Industrial Training Authority through the Industrial Training Amendment Act 2011, established the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority to coordinate players in the sector through the Micro and Small Enterprise Act 2012.

The government has transformed many youth polytechnics into centres of excellence, upgraded the existing 15 National Youth Service institutions and also established the Youth Enterprise and Employment Programme.

However, thousands of graduates still remain jobless. According to the Education ministry, about 50,000 graduates are churned out of public and private universities every year, piling onto the number of unemployed youth, estimated to be 2.3 million. Further, The Economic Survey 2014 showed that enrolment in private and public universities rose to 324,560 students, up from 240,551 in 2013. There is an immediate need to address this ticking time bomb.

There is a need to formulate strategies that strengthen linkages between education and industry through research, training and promotion of entrepreneurial culture.

Most importantly, the government should develop a well-structured framework through which Kenya can export its human resources to countries that face labor inadequacy.

Foreign employment provides a lot of benefits to any state. These benefits range from skills transfer, foreign remittances and, of course, a source of livelihood to the migrant workers. It is obvious that Kenyans, like many nationals, have sought employment opportunities abroad. Many of whom are low-skilled workers.

While some get favorable terms and conducive working environments, many others face adverse living and working conditions, human rights violations, for instance in the Middle East. This has been made worse by illegal migration. This informs the need for a well-thought-out Labor Export Policy, through which Kenyans can get good jobs abroad. This can also be complemented by signing and implementing bilateral agreements in labor migration.

Doing so will enhance the safety and comfort of Kenyans in the diaspora, contribute to Kenya's social and economic development, promote Foreign Direct Investment, tourism as well as transfer of skills and technology. This is possible because Kenya has foreign missions across the globe, Diaspora Policy and Consular Policy documents already in place. There is also the opportunity that presents itself in the East African Community that facilitates free movement of people. We need to take advantage of this.

This policy should also be complemented by an effective Public Employment Service, which will facilitate job search, job matching and at the same time reduce unemployment. The private agencies, some of which have become unscrupulous, should be regulated and well-coordinated through proper and relevant laws and regulations.

Having strategic Kenyan missions and deploying labor relations attaches to key destinations such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, South Sudan and South Africa will help monitor the progress of migrant workers and implementation of agreements. They will also formulate and implement policies on employment of expatriates, as well as develop foreign skills inventory and data bases! this will in turn enhance capacity building back home!

Back home, the government should continue enhancing the role of youth in agribusiness. This creates self-employment and more jobs. The government should also continue revitalising and equipping youth polytechnics and train youth at subsidised fees. This will enhance their capacity to work in the youth empowerment and public works programmes as Kenya intensifies its infrastructural development agenda.