NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 28 – Kenyan nurses deployed to work in Saudi Arabia will be paid a minimum of Sh150,000 in monthly salary following a new Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA) between Kenya and the Gulf nation.
Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary (CS) Florence Bore revealed that Kenya is witnessing a significant breakthrough in international employment opportunities, particularly in areas of nursing and healthcare for qualified Kenyans.
“As government we are exploring various sectors where we can get jobs for Kenyans both locally and internationally. Our Kenyan nurses with one year experience will be paid sh 150,00 monthly while those with more work experience will earn more money in Saudi Arabia,” she said.
CS Bore stated that the Kenyan government is looking forward to entering into a BLA with 19 countries to get job opportunities for Kenyans.
“We already have Bilateral Labour Agreements with Qatar, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. We are looking forward to 19 more countries so as to provide job opportunities for our people,” Bore stated.
She explained that the government opted to export labour to other countries in order to bring down the high rate of youth unemployment across the country.
“The high rate of unemployment in our country is really dire! We have many youths who have graduated staying at home but don’t have jobs,” she said.
This year, Kenya is set to send 2,500 nurses to work in the Gulf nation after the government settled on Fast Reliable Enterprises and Nasmama Services Ltd. to oversee the recruitment of nurses to Saudi Arabia.
The two recruiting agencies were selected following a thorough competitive evaluation process.
“130,000 youths will be employed as they get absorbed in the housing project in areas of plumbing wiring, masonry, Carpentry and others,” she said.
