Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-04-12 04:23:34
Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore recently disclosed that there have been low applications for the 2,500 job opportunities that were secured by President William Ruto in Saudi Arabia. During her appearance before the National Assembly’s Diaspora and Migrant Committee on April 11, CS Bore mentioned that they had only received 1,765 applications for these jobs. She also pointed out that there were more male applicants than female applicants, especially for the positions targeting nurses.
One of the main reasons identified for the low number of applications was the perception among Kenyans regarding the salary scale being offered for these jobs. Bore explained that many potential applicants felt the salary was not attractive enough, which led to the low response rate. Additionally, the requirement of a 90-day bonding period for the Private Recruitment Agency involved in the process also deterred some candidates from applying.
Out of the 1,765 applications received, only 586 candidates met the qualifications and are now scheduled to undergo interviews in the near future. Bore reassured that those who had already qualified for the positions had obtained the necessary travel documents for their journey. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, under Bore’s leadership, is committed to implementing measures to facilitate a smoother travel process for Kenyan citizens who have secured employment opportunities through government initiatives.
The advertised nursing positions in Saudi Arabia earlier this year offered salaries of up to Ksh146,000, attracting a lot of interest. The job requirements included an age range of 22 to 35 years and educational qualifications ranging from a certificate to a degree in Nursing, depending on the specific job role. Successful applicants were promised a round-trip air ticket as part of the employment package.
One of the additional requirements listed in the job advert was the need for valid prometric results, which could be obtained in either Kenya or Saudi Arabia. The cost of the Prometric test would be deducted from the employee’s salary in three installments. Furthermore, candidates were mandated to present a Dataflow verification report for their educational certificates and Nursing Council License or the latest employment certificate.
In conclusion, despite the initial low application numbers, the recruitment process for the Saudi Arabia job opportunities is progressing, and qualified candidates are moving forward in the selection process. The efforts of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, led by CS Florence Bore, aim to support Kenyan workers in accessing international employment opportunities efficiently and effectively.
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