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Tag: Labour and skills PS Shadrack Mwadime

  • Government to align review on Labour Laws

    Government to align review on Labour Laws

    The government is in the process of reviewing the current labour laws to align them with the emerging issues in the world of work, with an aim of advancing social justice for all.

    The Principal Secretary, State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, says the government recognizes promotion and protection of human rights and labour rights as indispensable pillars for sustainable development, which should not be treated as a privilege but a universal entitlement inherent to every individual by virtue of their humanity.

    Drawing parallel between human rights and economic development,the Principal Secretary posited, “human rights are enablers of sustainable development as it ensures that development is inclusive, participatory, and equitable”

    Mwadime made the remarks when he addressed the Annual Forum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice,at this year’s International Labour Conference at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland that ended last Friday.

    Unfortunately, and despite significant progress globally,the world continues to witness persistent violations in form of exploitative labour practices, discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and exclusion of vulnerable groups from decent work.

    “such challenges undermine social cohesion and economic prosperity.” Mwadime told the meeting.

    The Principal Secretary reported that Kenya has joined the alliance 8.7 as a pathfinder country to advance efforts towards elimination of child labour, noting that the constitution of Kenya is explicit in its commitment to human rights, anchoring socio-economic rights, the right to fair labour practices and freedom from discrimination,

    “We have developed a “Kenya alliance 8.7 road map (2025-2030)” which is a national strategic plan to accelerate the fight against forced labour, human trafficking, child labour, and modern slavery in Kenya,” he said.

    The Forum, convened under the theme “human rights economy”, brought together coordinating partners with the goal of addressing systemic inequalities through collaboration across sectors and expertise.

    Mwadime said Social Dialogue has remained the cornerstone of Kenya’s labour governance architecture, citing the National Labour Board, Wages Council and the Tripartite Committee on labour law as being instrumental in resolving industrial disputes formulating policies, setting minimum wages and promoting consultative and participatory decision-making.

    He highlighted Kenya’s modernization of Labour inspection and compliance framework through digitization and capacity building of inspection officers, which he noted has increased coverage and improved compliance in the formal and informal sectors.

  • Government moves to deregister fraudulent overseas recruitment agencies

    Government moves to deregister fraudulent overseas recruitment agencies

    Principal Secretary for the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to reforming the overseas job recruitment industry to eliminate unscrupulous agencies.

    Speaking Thursday during a graduation ceremony for 24 divers from Kerio Valley who completed rigorous training at Bandari Maritime Academy, the PS acknowledged the challenges faced by job seekers, noting that they have received numerous complaints from young people who have fallen victim to deceitful agencies.

    “It is our responsibility as a government to clean up this sector. While local job opportunities may be scarce, there are prospects abroad,” he stated.

    Mwadime pledged to continue the process of deregistering fraudulent agencies that exploit and deceive unsuspecting Kenyans seeking employment abroad under false pretences.

    “To our youth, before you hand over your hard-earned money to any agency, please check the National Employment Authority website. Agencies marked in red are questionable and should be avoided, even if they advertise in print or on social media,” he advised.

    “Conversely, those listed in black are legitimate. We acknowledge the challenges that exist; we encounter them daily. However, the government is intensifying its efforts because we understand that if we do not seek job opportunities for our youth, we will not fulfil the mandate for which we were elected,” he added.

    He reiterated the government’s commitment to regulating the industry, promising that anyone who has been cheated by these agencies will be reimbursed and that the offenders will be brought to justice.

    “Yes, we recognize that many Kenyans are in desperate situations, but we cannot allow them to be taken advantage of,” the PS emphasised.

    Mwadime clarified that the government’s role is to facilitate the recruitment of Kenyans for overseas work by bringing together recruitment agencies. He explained that the economy is driven by the private sector, and the government does not have an agency that directly recruits young people for jobs abroad.

    “We rely on private recruitment agencies. It’s important to clarify this because there is often misinformation. Our role is purely facilitative,” he stated.

    These remarks come just days after Amnesty International released a comprehensive report titled “Locked In, Left Out: The Hidden Lives of Kenyan Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia.” The report highlights the experiences of over 70 women who previously worked as domestic workers in the Gulf nation.

    The report urged the government to ensure that its bilateral labour agreement with Saudi Arabia is rights-based and includes clear protections for domestic workers.

    These protections should align with international standards and address critical areas such as ethical recruitment, the employer-pays principle, working and living conditions, fair wages, non-discrimination, dispute resolution, and access to justice.

    To enhance job opportunities in the maritime sector, PS Mwadime announced that the State Department of Shipping and Maritime Affairs is collaborating with the State Department of Immigration to develop strategies for the efficient issuance of Seafarer’s Identification Documents (SID).

    This essential travel document allows seafarers to board vessels for shore leave, transit, transfer, or repatriation in various countries.

    “Rest assured, there are positive developments underway. We are working on solutions, and soon, seafarers will receive their documents,” the PS assured.

  • PS Mwadime officiates induction of seafarers’ wages council in Kilifi

    PS Mwadime officiates induction of seafarers’ wages council in Kilifi

    In a significant milestone for Kenya’s maritime sector,Labour and skills Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime has today officiated the induction of the Seafarers’ Wages Council, a pivotal body established to ensure fair wages and prevent exploitation of Kenyan seafarers.

    Speaking at the event, PS Mwadime emphasised the long journey towards formalising the Seafarers’ Wages Council, a process he has been actively involved in since his tenure as Principal Secretary for Maritime.

    “The formalisation of the Seafarers’ Wages Council has been a journey I’ve been deeply involved in, starting during my tenure as Principal Secretary for Maritime,” he stated.

    He further highlighted the critical need to address the unique challenges faced by seafarers and acknowledged the extensive groundwork laid to establish the council.

    The PS reiterated his commitment to seeing the vision through to completion, recognising the collaborative efforts with outgoing Principal Secretary for Maritime and Blue Economy, Geoffrey Kaituko.

    The event marked a testament to their dedication in ensuring better working conditions for seafarers.

    The Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, a key international maritime labour law, sets out fundamental rights for seafarers, including fair wages, reasonable working hours, health and safety protections, and social security.

    PS Mwadime underscored the importance of its implementation in Kenya, stating, “This Convention represents a cornerstone of international maritime labour law, and your work in ensuring its full implementation in Kenya is of paramount importance.”
    He urged council members to dedicate their efforts to upholding the protections afforded by this vital international standard.

    To effectively discharge their roles, PS Mwadime advised the council to adopt best practices from successful maritime nations and continuously engage in capacity-building initiatives.

    “To discharge these roles, the Council should strive to carry out comparative learning in other successful countries and engage in continuous capacity building, which is paramount in providing a forum for members to discuss, consult, and make crucial decisions while equipping them with adequate governance skills,” he concluded.

    The formation of the Seafarers’ Wages Council marks a significant step in safeguarding the rights and welfare of Kenyan seafarers, reinforcing Kenya’s commitment to international maritime labour standards.