Kenya has started the process of removing work permits for citizens of other East African Community nations wishing to work in the country.The ministries of East Africa Community and Immigration are jointly preparing a Cabinet paper to legalize the move.East African Community Minister Amason Kingi said he was consulting his Immigration counterpart Otieno Kajwang' to abolish the conditions so that professionals from Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi can work freely in Kenya. Kenya already has such an agreement with Rwanda.
Speaking during a workshop organized by the ministry and Association of Professional Societies in East Africa, Mr Kingi said the issue of permits does not bring about full free movement of workers.
“I have noted that in the protocol the issue of work permits still exists. This I have noted will not bring full free movement of workers as they will still be required to apply for them,” he said.
Mr Kingi told the participants that Mr Kajwang' confirmed he had taken up the matter and the Cabinet will deliberate on it.
Speaking during a workshop organized by the ministry and Association of Professional Societies in East Africa, Mr Kingi said the issue of permits does not bring about full free movement of workers.
“I have noted that in the protocol the issue of work permits still exists. This I have noted will not bring full free movement of workers as they will still be required to apply for them,” he said.
Mr Kingi told the participants that Mr Kajwang' confirmed he had taken up the matter and the Cabinet will deliberate on it.
“The ministry will propose to the Government to extend this to all East Africans and push for the removal of work permit at the regional level to enhance free movement of workers,” he emphasized in a statement.
The minister commended Rwanda which has unilaterally removed work permit requirement for East Africans seeking to work there.
The minister commended Rwanda which has unilaterally removed work permit requirement for East Africans seeking to work there.
“Kenya has a bilateral arrangement with Rwanda whereby Rwandese are not required to apply for work permits in Kenya and vice versa,” he added.
Mr Kingi announced that he has formed a task force to audit the protocol for the establishment of the EAC common market and determine its harmony with the Kenyan laws.
He said a miscellaneous Amendment Bill should be proposed so as to facilitate a smooth implementation of the Common Market protocol taking effect from July 1 this year.
Mr Kingi said when the protocol takes effect, EAC citizens will be given equal treatment in the labor, services and capital markets while at the same time protect their rights to establish themselves and reside in the country just like Kenyans.
Mr Kingi announced that he has formed a task force to audit the protocol for the establishment of the EAC common market and determine its harmony with the Kenyan laws.
He said a miscellaneous Amendment Bill should be proposed so as to facilitate a smooth implementation of the Common Market protocol taking effect from July 1 this year.
Mr Kingi said when the protocol takes effect, EAC citizens will be given equal treatment in the labor, services and capital markets while at the same time protect their rights to establish themselves and reside in the country just like Kenyans.
He said EAC partner states have made tremendous progress in the integration process and that it is the only regional bloc that has successfully implemented the customs union in the continent.
He said the region is now gearing up to implement the next stage of economic integration which involves harmonizing the region’s factors of production market.
He said the region is now gearing up to implement the next stage of economic integration which involves harmonizing the region’s factors of production market.
Source: http://www.nation.co.ke/News/
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