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CABINET MEMO

Cabinet memo

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19 views

CABINET MEMO

Cabinet memo

Uploaded by

felixmuchibi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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REPUBLIC OF KENYA
CABINET MEMORANDUM
ON
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SCHEME ABROAD
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS AND
MINISTRY OF LABOR.
1. INTRODUCTION:
Joint Draft Cabinet Memorandum on the establishment of a Youth Employment Scheme Abroad
framework submitted jointly by the Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Minister for
Labor.
2. OBJECTIVE OF THE MEMORANDUM:
The objective of this Memorandum is to apprise the Cabinet and request for approval of the
proposed structure of Youth Labor Migration through adoption of a Youth Employment Scheme
Abroad (YESA) framework.
3. BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
3.1 The world is currently facing a growing socio-economic crisis characterized by general.
unemployment, under-employment and rampant poverty. According to the International Labor
Organization (ILO), Global Employment Trends Report of January, 2009 indicates that in 2008,
an estimated 6% youths in the world were not working but looking for a job.
3.2 Unemployment is one of the most daunting challenges facing Kenya today. Despite the
economic growth over the past decade, it has not corresponded to job creation and gainful
employment to match the high rate at which youth join the labor market.
3.3 To address youth problems and more specifically unemployment, efforts have been made by
the Government to initiate youth development programs through various policy documents such
as Sessional Paper Number 4 of 2005 and the Poverty Eradication Plan 1999-2015 among others.
3.4 The greatest challenge faced while implementing programs however, is the high population
growth rate among the youth.
3.5 In order to address specifically the youth concerns in the country, the Government created
the
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports that aims at maximizing the full potential of the youth
through participatory engagements that serve their needs and aspirations in nation building.
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3.6 Youth Employment Scheme Abroad (YESA) was identified as one of the strategies of the
Youth Enterprise Development Fund Board, geared towards economically empowering youths
by facilitating them to work abroad so that they too can participate in nation building.
4. ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM:
4.1 Youth in Kenya today live in a complex and challenging times, undoubtedly the most acute
challenge is the inability to access gainful and decent employment. Lack of employment can lead
the youth into anti-social behavior such as crime and drugs.
4.2 Despite the many efforts to implement policies to cater for the youth development and
unemployment, there is still limited impact due to the high youth population growth rate and
poor coordination among Government Ministries, Youth Organizations and International
Agencies.
4.3 Undoubtedly it would be reasonable at this stage to take advantage of other economies that
are in deficit of skills currently available in Kenya. A number of world economies, such as
Philippines and India have benefited considerably by capitalizing on export of skills to ease the
unemployment in their countries.
5. CONSULTATIONS: This Ministry facilitated a number of YESA consultations (formal and
informal). Target groups included Government Organizations, Non-Governmental
Organizations, Private Sector, Civil Society and Community Groups. While a number of these
consultations were intended to sensitize the said groups about YESA, people’s perception
regarding how Kenya should proceed with matters pertaining to YESA were also sought. For the
most part, participants felt that YESA was an effective tool in addressing youth unemployment
issues in Kenya.
6. ANY EXISTING LEGISLATION:
Currently, Kenya has no comprehensive legal and regulatory framework on Labor Migration.
The current labor laws do not adequately address the issues on labor migration; for example, the
Employment Act, 2007 only provides for attestation and the Labor Institutions Act, 2007
provides for accreditation of private employment agencies.
OPTIONS ON THE WAY FORWARD:
7.1 YESA framework seeks to provide for inter-ministerial linkages through a one-stop-shop
concept. This will be undertaken through YESA secretariat and Ministerial Youth Desk Officers
on key Ministries headed by a Policy Organ Comprising Principal Secretaries of Labor, Finance,
Youth Affairs and Sports, Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Constitutional Affairs.
7.2 Acquisition of international employment appropriate documentation will be fast tracked so as
to make the process smooth.
7.3 The framework structure also provides for a Technical Steering Committee on Youth
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Employment Scheme Abroad (STC), as a standing Committee to oversee and advise on the
Youth Labor Export.
7.4 Thus, it is in view of the above mentioned scenario that the Cabinet is requested to approve
and implement the YESA framework that would address the needs of Kenyan youths aspiring to
migrate for employment purposes, which will in turn effectively facilitate their involvement in
the social and economic development of the country.
8. FINANCIAL IMPLICATION:
The YESA is one of the objectives of the Youth Enterprise Development Fund Board. The Board
has within its budget allocated a vote of Ksh.500 Million during the 2017/18 Financial Year for
the Youth Employment Scheme Abroad. The program will not occasion additional public
funding as it will be met from the already voted funds for program.
9. RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CABINET:
The Cabinet is requested:
a) to take note of the contents of this memorandum by the Cabinet Secretaries for Youth
Affairs and Sports and Ministry of Labor;
b) approve the YESA Draft framework;
c) direct the Cabinet Secretaries for Youth Affairs and Sports and other relevant
Government agencies to put in place the necessary structures to enable operationalization of the
YESA framework;
d) direct the Cabinet Secretaries of Labor, Finance and Foreign Affairs to provide structures
and mechanisms that will ensure adequate protection, advisory and monitoring services to
beneficiaries of YESA in host countries;
e) direct the Cabinet Secretaries of Foreign Affairs and Labor to explore the appropriate
bilateral and multilateral agreements with friendly labor destination countries for Kenyan youth
skills and ratify relevant migrant workers’ conventions;
f) give necessary directions to ensure that YESA Draft Policy Paper is presented to
parliament to have it debated as soon as possible and thereafter implemented.
HON. KATWA HELLENA
CABINET SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
DATE……………….
HON. PAUL JOHN C
ABINET SECRETARY
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MINISTRY OF LABOUR
DATE…………………….

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