Kenyans working abroad will now have recourse if they are subjected into servitude or other forms of exploitation, the ministry of foreign affairs has said.
The plight of Kenyans living and working in foreign countries particularly those in the Middle East has been an issue of great concern, said acting minister foreign affairs Prof George Saitoti
"It is therefore gratifying to note that the Ministry has been negotiating with several countries to put in place arrangement to ensure all Kenyans are properly treated, in this respect, a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour with the Government of Qatar to establish the minimum standards and conditions of work for Kenyans, particularly professionals has been finalized," said Saitoti.
Saitoti said a similar arrangement of a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour is under discussion with the Government of Saudi Arabia and will extend to other countries in the Middle East.
Saitoti made the remarks in Nairobi during the official launch of the five-year strategic plan of the ministry of foreign affairs. He said the Strategic Plan is a tool that will guide the ministry's conduct of Kenya's foreign relations by highlighting strategies and priorities in addressing the objectives of the country's Foreign Policy.
He said the Kenyan Diaspora, is an important agenda at both the national and global levels for the Ministry.
"Vision 2030 places the Diaspora as one of the flagship projects under the financial sector, while the newconstitution provides for dual citizenship and voting rights also," said Saitoti.
He said the Ministry has been working with other stakeholders to develop a policy that will facilitate engagement with Kenyans in the Diaspora with a view to tapping into their skills, expertise, and other resources in order to harness them national development.
"Kenya needs to expand its presence in the international affairs and with growing number of highly trained and experienced manpower, the Ministry continues to lobby for the appointment of Kenyans to key positions in international organizations," the minister said.
Noting that the strategic plan places heavy emphasis on economic diplomacy, Saitoti said the ministry would open missions in strategic countries.
"Kenya's new location for missions will be influenced by the potential for growth of our exports. That explains the reason why the Kenya Consulate in Juba will be elevated to a fully-fledged Embassy when Southern Sudan becomes a fully independent state next month," said Saitoti.
read more http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/Insi...Kenyans in Diaspora to be protected - Saitoti
The plight of Kenyans living and working in foreign countries particularly those in the Middle East has been an issue of great concern, said acting minister foreign affairs Prof George Saitoti
"It is therefore gratifying to note that the Ministry has been negotiating with several countries to put in place arrangement to ensure all Kenyans are properly treated, in this respect, a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour with the Government of Qatar to establish the minimum standards and conditions of work for Kenyans, particularly professionals has been finalized," said Saitoti.
Saitoti said a similar arrangement of a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour is under discussion with the Government of Saudi Arabia and will extend to other countries in the Middle East.
Saitoti made the remarks in Nairobi during the official launch of the five-year strategic plan of the ministry of foreign affairs. He said the Strategic Plan is a tool that will guide the ministry's conduct of Kenya's foreign relations by highlighting strategies and priorities in addressing the objectives of the country's Foreign Policy.
He said the Kenyan Diaspora, is an important agenda at both the national and global levels for the Ministry.
"Vision 2030 places the Diaspora as one of the flagship projects under the financial sector, while the newconstitution provides for dual citizenship and voting rights also," said Saitoti.
He said the Ministry has been working with other stakeholders to develop a policy that will facilitate engagement with Kenyans in the Diaspora with a view to tapping into their skills, expertise, and other resources in order to harness them national development.
"Kenya needs to expand its presence in the international affairs and with growing number of highly trained and experienced manpower, the Ministry continues to lobby for the appointment of Kenyans to key positions in international organizations," the minister said.
Noting that the strategic plan places heavy emphasis on economic diplomacy, Saitoti said the ministry would open missions in strategic countries.
"Kenya's new location for missions will be influenced by the potential for growth of our exports. That explains the reason why the Kenya Consulate in Juba will be elevated to a fully-fledged Embassy when Southern Sudan becomes a fully independent state next month," said Saitoti.
read more http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/Insi...Kenyans in Diaspora to be protected - Saitoti
