NAIROBI, Jun 3 (NNN-KBC) – Kenya plans to boost labour exports, in order to enhance remittances from the diaspora, a senior government official said yesterday.
Simon Chelugui, cabinet secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, told journalists in Nairobi, the number of Kenyans in the diaspora is estimated at four million and their remittances is below that of other African nations such as Egypt, Nigeria or Ghana.
Chelugui, who spoke during the graduation of home-care management trainees, said, the country’s focus is on export of skilled labour, which will attract better remuneration for workers.
Data showed that the East African nation earned 309 billion Kenyan shillings (about 2.9 billion U.S. dollars) in remittances in 2020.
Chelugui noted that, labour migration has become an important policy issue, because of the immense socio-economic benefits that it offers to both countries of origin and destination.
He said, while the government invested heavily in mainstreaming labour migration, there are still challenges, such as, lack of adequate pre-departure training and orientation.
