Why Job-Seekers Flock to Middle East Despite Horrific Stories

Kenyans still travel to the Middle East in search of well-paying jobs despite knowing about ill treatment from some employers in the oil-rich region.

In an effort to lower the high unemployment rates in the region, the administration declared in May 2019 that it will export workers to other countries, mainly the Middle East.

More Kenyans were anticipated to fly to the Gulf region in response to the declaration by the country’s then-labor secretary, Ukur Yatani, in search of employment with better terms.

The World Bank estimates that Middle Eastern nations have an average GDP per capita of Sh7.1 million, compared to Kenya’s GDP per capita of Sh325,000.

The amount of money made per person in a certain location over a given time period, usually one year, is referred to as per capita income or average income. The amount is determined by dividing the region’s overall income by its whole population.

In a speech in Mombasa, Yatani stated, “We are now simplifying labor migration by seeking for chances for our workers to migrate to other countries where there are jobs, particularly in the Middle East.”

The CS stated that because Kenya’s economy is not expanding as quickly as it could to accommodate all of the graduates leaving local colleges each year, Kenyans must look for work prospects outside of the nation.

Despite several Kenyans’ traumatic experiences in the arid region, the government approved the export of labor.

Employers in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and other Gulf nations have killed some Kenyans.

The economic powerhouse of East Africa is anticipated to transfer at least 100,000 workers to Saudi Arabia alone as a result of the government deal.

Yatani claimed that Kuwait was one of the nations with which Kenya had signed bilateral agreements to provide employment for its citizens. The agreements include discussions about higher pay and the wellbeing of Kenyan employees.

According to him, the government will ensure that there are appropriate insurance plans for Kenyan employees traveling abroad for employment. Additionally, he stated that their companies would offer them greater housing options.

Since labor attachés have been sent to the Middle East, the confiscation of Kenyans’ passports upon their arrival in Middle Eastern nations would likewise end as per the accords.

The CS stated that obligatory training would be required of Kenyans who were expecting to be flown out of the country. Travelers’ rights will be explained during the training.

In terms of the number of people living in extreme poverty, Kenya is placed eighth globally and sixth in Africa in the World Poverty Clock Report, which was published in 2018.

The survey claims that 14.7 million Kenyans, or 29% of the overall population, live in extreme poverty and make less than Sh200 per day.

Despite the fact that the UN has been working relentlessly to lower the number of people living in severe poverty by 2030 through the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), this situation persists. One of the driving forces for migration is poverty.

People are forced to leave their home nations in quest of better job possibilities. According to the World Poverty Clock Report, Turkana, a volatile region in Northern Western Kenya, had the largest percentage of residents living in extreme poverty, with 87.4% (756,306) of the population.

Kenya had seen a reduction in the number of persons living in poverty of 10.5% since 2008 by the time the report was published. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the fall was brought on by devolution, which directed more resources to rural areas.

In terms of the number of people living in extreme poverty, Kenya is placed eighth globally and sixth in Africa in the World Poverty Clock Report, which was published in 2018.

The survey claims that 14.7 million Kenyans, or 29% of the overall population, live in extreme poverty and make less than Sh200 per day.