Kenya showcases job creation strategy at ILO conference

Julius Ndegwa -PCO

Kenya has placed job creation at the core of its national development strategy.

Speaking during  International Labour Organization  (ILO) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, said the government has taken deliberate steps to stimulate employment across all sectors through an integrated approach that combines investment in infrastructure, targeted incentives for MSMES and expanded access to credit through the Hustler Fund.

He said the government has continued to stimulate economic growth by creating job opportunities for youth through the Affordable Housing Plan, which has to date created over 244,232 jobs in the construction sector.

Responding to ILO Director General Gilbert F Houngbo’s report during the opening of the conference, the PS welcomed the theme of this year’s report, which he described as acutely aligned with the aspirations of the Kenyan government Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). 

He said BETA is rooted in promoting inclusive, sustainable economics growth through productive employment and social justice.

The PS said Kenya has scaled up labour migration governance through the operationalization of the Labour Migration Management Strategy, to address youth and unemployment and skills mismatch in the country.

This strategy includes bilateral labour agreements with destination countries, enhanced pre-departure training and reintegration services.

“These measures have contributed significantly to the protection and productivity of Kenyan Migrant workers,” he said.

He reported that Kenya has accelerated the domestication of ratified ILO conventions into national legislation.

"These included recent amendments to the Employment Act, the Labour Institutions Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which have now been aligned to the country's legal framework with emerging decent work priorities," he said.

He added that Kenya’s Labour Inspection and Compliance Framework has been modernized through digitization and capacity building of inspection officers.

“We are proud to report increased coverage and improved compliance in the formal and informal sectors, especially in relation to occupational health and safety standards, social security registration, and child labour elimination,” he said.

Recognizing climate change as a pressing issue with far reaching effects and labour market implications, the PS said Kenya is investing and giving priority to establishment of green jobs.  

"Kenya is investing in green jobs through the Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (GESIP), promoting circular economy principles and building adaptive capacity among workers through skilling for just transition,” Mwadime said.

Kenya, therefore, called for “increased international support in financing employment intensive infrastructure, strengthening social protection systems, and supporting just transitions in climate-vulnerable countries.”

The country commended ILO for maintaining an unwavering focus on the centrality of decent work in the face of global uncertainty, inequality, and climate disruptions.

The ILO Director General said the conference, attended by representatives from government, employers and workers would provide an opportunity to take stock in developments and challenges in the world of work and provide solutions.

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli and Federation of Kenya employers Executive Director and CEO, Jacquiline Mugo, addressed the meeting.