Kenya and Austria are working towards finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on skilled labor migration according to a statement by the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary (OPCS) Press Service on September 17, 2024.
The statement shared with the press reveled that the two countries are committed to enhancing managed legal migration and mutually beneficial exchanges of skilled labor through this MOU on cooperation in the field of mobility and migration.
“We also pledge to strengthen high-level bilateral engagements, including more frequent and substantive exchanges at the highest levels of government,” said Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
In a sideline meeting with the Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, Alexander Schallenberg, Mudavadi agreed to establish a formal mechanism for regular and structured political consultations between Kenya and Austria.
Additionally, Mudavadi mentioned that the two countries are committed to amplifying bilateral economic cooperation, leveraging the momentum from the Austrian trade mission to Kenya in October 2023.
Also in attendance were Maurice Makoloo, Kenya’s Ambassador to Austria, and Robert Zischg, Director of the Department for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Austrian Foreign Ministry, among others.
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This move aimed to enhance managed legal migration and mutually beneficial exchanges of skilled labor with Austria comes just days after Kenya and Germany signed a similar agreement.
The Germany, Kenya Agreement
Kenya and Germany on September 13 signed a significant agreement to facilitate the immigration of skilled Kenyan workers to Germany. The agreement was reached during a visit by President William Ruto to Berlin, where he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
The agreement aims to allow more skilled and semi-skilled Kenyan workers to live and work in Germany, addressing labor shortages in the German market. Both countries view the agreement as a win-win situation, combining Kenya’s youthful and skilled workforce with Germany’s investment and technology.
The agreement also includes provisions for the repatriation of Kenyans who do not have the right to stay in Germany, making the process more efficient.
During the event, President Ruto emphasized the prospects of mutual benefits, highlighting the innovation and energy of Kenya’s young population, while Chancellor Scholz noted the importance of being open to the world to maintain prosperity.
Also Read: Germany Starts Rejecting Migrants After Deal with Kenya
Kenya’s Approach to Tackling Youth Unemployment
Kenya aims to address youth unemployment through various initiatives, such as entrepreneurship support via the Uwezo Fund and the Youth Enterprise Development Fund.
Additionally, digital work opportunities are being promoted through platforms like the Ajira Digital Programme, to complement interventions including Kazi Mtaani, and government internships under the Kenya Youth Employment Opportunities Project (KYEOP), among others.
Labor export agreements, such as the recent MOU signed between Kenya and Germany, and now the Austria MOU, are also part of Kenya’s strategy to tackle youth unemployment. These agreements aim to open opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled Kenyan workers to find employment abroad, thereby reducing pressure on the domestic job market.
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