Germany To Ease Migration Laws For 250,000 Kenyans, In Labour Deal
Germany and Kenya have reached an agreement to enable 250,000 semi-skilled and skilled Kenyans to work in Europe’s biggest economy. As part of the deal, Germany will ease some of its immigration laws.
Semi-skilled people include buss drivers, while skilled people include teachers, nurses, and doctors.
The deal was signed in Berlin by Kenya’s President William Ruto and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz this month. It is aimed at addressing a shortage of skilled labour in Germany and a shortage of jobs in Kenya.
Here are some of the things agreed in the deal:
- Kenyans will get long-term visas to study or get vocational training in Germany. Some bus drivers, for example are now receiving training in Germany
- Some specific professions will also get relaxed migration requirements. For example, IT specialists from Kenya will be allowed to enter and work in Germany, even if they do not have formal qualifications.
- On the expiry of the long-stay visa, Kenyans may receive a temporary residence permit for study purposes in Germany for up to two years
- The temporary residence permit may be extended if the purpose of residence has not yet been achieved but is achievable within a “reasonable” period
- Kenyans in Germany illegally will have to return to Kenya and efforts made to reduce illegal immigration
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) supports the deal saying it will increase access to decent foreign jobs for Kenyan workers in Germany.
Said ILO in a statement before the signing:
“This agreement is designed to address the labour market needs of both countries, providing a structured framework for the migration of skilled workers. It includes mechanisms to protect the rights and welfare of Kenyan migrant workers in Germany, ensuring safe, orderly, and productive migration.”
Kenya’s unemployment rate is about 10%, with the majority of the unemployed being the youth.
There have been some criticism in Kenya that the deal would result in brain drain. At a joint press conference in Berlin, Ruto said about the concerns:
“I want to assure you that we have skills, we have developed a huge human capital. As you may be aware, Kenya is a young country.
We have a huge young population that cannot only satisfy our industrialisation agenda in Kenya but also here in Germany. In fact, it will provide an avenue for us to tap the skills here,”
