By Germany and Kenya have signed a landmark labor agreement aimed at allowing skilled and semi-skilled Kenyan workers to find employment in Europe’s largest economy, officials from both countries announced on Friday.
The deal, signed in Berlin by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Kenyan President William Ruto, comes as Germany grapples with a shortage of skilled labor while Kenya struggles to provide sufficient employment opportunities for its young professionals.
Under the agreement, Germany will ease some of its immigration laws to facilitate Kenyan workers’ entry into the country. The German government has not specified the number of workers to be admitted, emphasizing a controlled and targeted approach to labor migration.
Key points of the agreement include:
– Allowing IT specialists from Kenya to work in Germany even without formal qualifications
– Extending temporary residence permits for Kenyan workers who secure approved jobs
– Issuing long-term visas for Kenyans to study or undergo vocational training in Germany
– Supporting immigration of skilled workers with recognized vocational training or university degrees
The deal also includes provisions for the readmission and return of citizens between the two nations and outlines measures to prevent labor exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking.
In a pilot project, five Kenyan bus drivers have already arrived in Flensburg, northern Germany. Claus Ruhe Madsen, Schleswig-Holstein’s Transport Minister, welcomed the drivers, stating, “We simply have to position ourselves in Germany in such a way that it is attractive to come here.”
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) praised the agreement, saying it is expected to “significantly increase access to decent foreign jobs for Kenyan workers in Germany and address labor shortages in Germany.”
However, the deal has raised concerns about a potential brain drain in Kenya, particularly in the healthcare sector. Ekuru Aukot, a Kenyan lawyer and politician, expressed worry to the BBC’s Newsday programme, saying, “It is sad that we are going to service other countries at the expense of our own country.”
Addressing these concerns, Roseline Njogu, a senior Kenyan foreign affairs official, defended the agreement, stating that Kenya was responding to global labor market demands. “We have a youth bulge in Kenya and every year we have a million people joining the local labor market. It takes time and resources to create job opportunities at home,” she added.
The labor agreement comes at a time when immigration is a contentious issue in Germany, following the rise in popularity of the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Germany has welcomed over one million refugees since the 2015-2016 migrant crisis and an additional 1.2 million Ukrainians since Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
As both countries move forward with implementing the agreement, observers will be watching closely to see how it impacts Germany’s labor market and Kenya’s workforce development. The success of this program could potentially serve as a model for similar agreements between developed and developing nations seeking to address labor shortages and provide opportunities for skilled workers.
