The government inched closer to realising 1 million foreign jobs after signing a landmark deal with Hong Kong on Tuesday, June 27.
State Department for Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu announced the deal after meeting Chris Sun, Hong Kong Secretary of Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Special Administrative Region.
During the meeting, the Njogu-led team successfully negotiated job opportunities for unskilled Kenyans and diploma holders.
“We met to discuss employment opportunities, and the welfare and rights of Kenyan workers in Hong Kong,” a statement from the Diaspora Affairs State Department read in part.
Njogu capitalised on the President’s agenda of finding better opportunities for Kenyans abroad based on their qualifications and work ethics.
According to the PS, the Sun-led delegation agreed to open doors for Kenyans seeking jobs in Hong Kong, proving that the meeting was fruitful.
“Hong Kong will employ non-skilled, semi-skilled and professionals to various sectors of the economy,” PS Njogu announced.
Conversely, Sun noted that the high demand for skilled labourers in Hong Kong necessitated the region to look to seek talent abroad. He also emphasised that importing labour would cover Hing Kong's gradual reduction in the active labour force.
Perceived as a major win for Kenya, Hong Kong reviewed its employment policies to allow employers to recruit expatriates.
This meant that not only will Kenyans be able to apply for jobs in Hong Kong’s national institutions, but also enjoy unlimited opportunities in the private sector.
According to PS Njogu, Hong Kong will start recruiting Kenyans and other foreigners from July 2023.
On Saturday, June 18, Ruto announced that Kenya had entered into bilateral agreements with over five foreign countries to export human capital.
Other countries that Kenya signed job deals with included; Germany, Barbados, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
