CS Alfred Mutua Champions Skilled Migration and Youth Empowerment at Global Labour Market Conference in Riyadh

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua has reiterated Kenya’s commitment to safe, orderly, and ethical labour migration while advancing opportunities for skilled Kenyan workers abroad, following his participation in the Global Labour Market Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

The high-level conference, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and hosted by the Government of Saudi Arabia, brought together global leaders, policymakers, and labour experts to deliberate on reforms aimed at streamlining labour markets and strengthening cross-border worker mobility.

Speaking during the conference, CS Mutua said the forum provided a critical platform for addressing the growing demand for skilled labour globally, while ensuring worker protection and fairness in recruitment practices.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary held bilateral talks with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where discussions centered on expanding employment opportunities for skilled Kenyan professionals who continue to be in high demand across the Gulf region. The talks also emphasized the need to promote ethical recruitment and strengthen worker protection in line with ILO standards.

Key among the proposals was the push for skill matching and mutual recognition of Kenyan technical and university qualifications. CS Mutua underscored that fair remuneration should be based on skills, experience, and competence rather than nationality. To this end, discussions included the establishment of clear job banding systems to ensure Kenyan workers are recruited and paid according to their education levels and professional competencies.

The meetings further explored the signing and strengthening of Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs) as a critical tool for opening more job opportunities while safeguarding the rights, welfare, and dignity of Kenyan workers abroad.

CS Mutua also took the opportunity to showcase Kenya’s flagship NYOTA Programme, a youth empowerment initiative focused on SME financing, skills development, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and the Haba Kwa Haba savings model. The programme attracted strong interest from international delegates, with many praising its comprehensive approach to tackling youth unemployment. He acknowledged the World Bank for its partnership and support in implementing the initiative.

In addition, the Cabinet Secretary met leaders of the Kenyan diaspora in Saudi Arabia to discuss employment prospects, safety, and welfare issues affecting Kenyans living and working in the country. He also addressed challenges facing the community, including cases of criminal behavior that have regrettably led to the incarceration of some Kenyan nationals.

The conference also examined the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the future of work, with participants agreeing that specific, transferable skills will increasingly be valued alongside academic qualifications as labour markets evolve.

CS Mutua reaffirmed Kenya’s readiness to adapt to global labour trends while protecting its workforce, concluding with an optimistic outlook: “Mbele iko sawa.”