NAIROBI, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is set to sign a bilateral labor agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before end of June, a Kenyan official said Wednesday.
Winnie Pertet, Chairperson of the National Employment Authority (NEA), said the agreement will help ensure the safety of Kenyans working in the Arab state.
"The bilateral labor agreement with UAE is part of the government's commitment to ensure that Kenyan nationals work under certain minimum conditions in order to enhance their safety," Pertet said.
"The goal is to improve the working conditions and terms of Kenyans who will work in the Gulf state," he added. Kenya has already signed similar agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Kenya's government estimates show that approximately 40,000 Kenyans live and work in the UAE.
Pertet said that under the agreement, the government will post labor officials in key cities of the UAE in order to monitor their living and working conditions.
She said that Kenyans are attracted to more lucrative jobs in the Middle East. The NEA added that the government is trying to address cases of Kenyans who face distress while working abroad.
"We are witnessing rising incidents where recruitment agents lure Kenyans with false promises of overseas jobs," Pertet added.
The NEA chairperson said that all labor contracts for those who will work abroad will be attested by labor authorities to ensure that Kenyans do not face exploitation abroad.
