Govt Introduces CAT Exams, New Fees for Kenyans Going to Work Abroad

The government through the Ministry of Labour announced on Thursday, September 19 that it has reduced the pre-departure period for skilled migrant workers, among a series of reforms targeting the recruitment and deployment process for Kenyans seeking employment opportunities abroad.

Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua in a statement revealed that other than the reduction to the pre-departure training periods, homecare management will form part and parcel of the pre-departure training. 

“We are introducing reforms to the pre-departure training and orientation programs. Homecare management training will now be integrated with pre-departure training, reducing the total training period from 26 days to 14 days,” he revealed in part.

The CS announced that skilled migrant workers will have their pre-departure training periods reduced to two days to make the process more efficient.

Additionally, the assessment system for the recruitment and deployment programs will be evaluated on a 100-point scale, with 65 percent for practicals by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), 25 percent for continuous assessment, and 10 percent for pre-departure theory, with a pass mark of 60%. 

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The revised guidelines will be distributed by NITA to all trainers by November 1, 2024.

CS Mutua also revealed that domestic workers who have previously completed contracts in the Gulf will be exempt from these training requirements, helping them return to work more quickly.

“We are also developing a model house in Mombasa and later Nairobi that replicates an Arabic home, ensuring our domestic workers are well-prepared for employment in countries like Saudi Arabia,” he added.

The Ministry also capped the ceiling cost for homecare and pre-departure training at Ksh14,000, a move aimed at making the training affordable to interested parties.

The changes in the pre-departure training are part of a series of critical reforms aimed at streamlining the recruitment and deployment process for Kenyans seeking employment abroad.

CS Mutua noted that the reforms are the result of extensive consultations with key stakeholders, both locally and internationally, and they are designed to enhance the efficiency and integrity of our labour migration system.

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Also announced is the introduction of a new registration system for employment agencies, and under this, new agencies will be made to part with Ksh500,000 for an initial registration certificate which will be valid for one year. 

“Additionally, the renewal period for existing agencies will now be extended to two years, priced at Ksh500,000 for the full two-year period or Ksh250,000 for one year with the option for renewal,” he added.

The Ministry intends to implement the changes on September 23, 2024, which will streamline the licensing process and ensure that agencies are fully compliant with the law. The National Employment Authority (NEA) was revealed to have staffed its compliance section to enforce the new regulations.

CS Mutua expressed that the reforms are expected to facilitate the deployment of between 5,000 to 10,000 Kenyans to work abroad each week, aligning with the government’s ambition to expand labour mobility. 

“We are also committed to addressing the issue of rogue agencies, with several currently under investigation by the DCI. In addition, we are working with banks to offer financing to agencies so they no longer need to burden job seekers,” he added, expressing the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that Kenyans seeking employment abroad are protected, prepared, and given the best opportunities to succeed.