News

State told to bargain for better payment of domestic workers

Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 03:23 | By
Ombudsman
Florence Kajuju - chairperson of the CAJ popularly known as the Ombudsman . Photo/PD/FILE

Commission of Administrative Justice (CAJ) wants the government to renegotiate wages for migrant Kenyan domestic workers.

 CAJ, also known as the ombudsman, wants the workers to be given equal timelines for notice of termination of employment as well as be provided with clear sanctions for rogue domestic workers and employees.

In a report released yesterday, the commission also recommended that all migrant workers learn basic Arabic language for those going to Saudi Arabia as well as understand their contractual terms, complaints and distress before they travel.

“The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) to ensure that the minimum requirement of basic education for trainees is strictly adhered to. The Homecare management course includes a unit in basic Arabic language for those going to Saudi Arabia, an understanding of the contractual terms, complaints and distress handling channels and the procedure of registration with the Kenyan embassies at the host countries upon arrival,” the report.

In particular, the commission asked Labour Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui to fast track the review of the Bilateral Labour Agreement (BLA) between the Government of Kenya and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide comprehensive complaint handling and dispute resolution mechanisms for migrant workers and their employers.

 The report says the negotiated minimum wage in the BLA was Sh28,819 (SR.900) per month yet there are still some migrant domestic workers recruited who earn less.

 Standard contract

With regards to rest hours, despite the standard employment contract stipulating that the domestic workers be provided with continuous and undisturbed nine hours of rest per day and is entitled to one rest day per week, a majority of returnee migrant workers indicate that there are no rest days for a domestic worker in Saudi and some are not allowed to sleep for more than four hours, especially during the Ramadhan festivities.

 “There are gaps in the Bilateral Agreement including; Kenyans being paid lower wages in comparison to their counterparts doing the same kind of work from other countries,” the report.

Commission also wants the ministry of Labour to facilitate the establishment of safe houses for accommodating those in distress awaiting repatriation as well as to deploy additional labour attaché in Saudi Arabia.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT