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{
    "id": 948346,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/948346/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 445,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mogotio, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. David Tuitoek",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13434,
        "legal_name": "Daniel Kamuren Tuitoek",
        "slug": "daniel-kamuren-tuitoek"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. I rise to support the Motion. I know the issue of employment in the Middle East specifically Saudi Arabia, Qatar or United Arab Emirates is always very emotive. We have seen many of our people especially domestic workers being brought back in coffins. Therefore, the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare took this issue very seriously. I have perused the Report and seen that they have pointed out that there are several employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia in various fields other than domestic work, like teaching. They have indicated that there are over 50,000 Kenyans among other nationalities working there. The Committee indicated that these workers face challenges. They pointed out culture shock as one of them. We all know that Saudi Arabia has a strict Islamic culture and probably some of our workers who go there do not understand the gravity of this culture. Some of them are looking for opportunity to travel to another country. They do not take their job opportunity seriously and want to quit the job that took them there. The Committee has pointed out that after consultations between the Government of Kenya and Government of Saudi Arabia, several measures have been put in place. These are automated systems through which the Saudi Government will monitor the labour conditions or compliance of employers of domestic workers. We also note that there is bilateral agreement between Kenya and Saudi Arabia to ensure that Kenyans are protected. They pointed out that the agreement covers things like wages, hours of work, employment contracts, work permits and termination of employment. One of the things that Kenyan employees complained about is that once they reach Saudi Arabia, their travel documents are confiscated by the employers. I think one of the agreements between the two countries was on documentation. They agreed that if certain issues arise, they will have resolution mechanisms. The Committee suggests that there should be some sort of pre-training for those travelling to Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries to prepare them to work in those countries. Of course, here at home, we have challenges because job opportunities are few. I know any job opportunity for our people is welcome, but first and foremost, the Government should put in place protection mechanisms. The agreements we see on paper should be adhered to. The Government should ensure that they are implemented and adhered to, so that we do not lose Kenyans in other countries. They come back in coffins. The issue of culture shock should be addressed. In other words, we should prepare our workers going abroad on the way of life in the particular countries. The way we live here is different. Therefore, I would like to say that the work of the Committee is commendable. I beg to support."
}