Kenya signs labour and skills development agreement with US

Kenya on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Department of Labour to enhance labour standards and promote the welfare of workers.

The agreement, made formal on Monday morning by Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Alfred Mutua, reiterates a shared commitment to improving labour conditions, protecting workers’ rights, and fostering inclusive economic development in both nations.

Leading the US delegation, Deputy Undersecretary for the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, Thea Mei Lee, highlighted the critical role of workers’ rights as the foundation of a healthy democracy.

The MoU indicates key cooperation areas, including occupational safety, health standards, prevention of child and forced labour, workers’ compensation systems, and social protection frameworks.

𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐘𝐀 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Today, on behalf of the Kenyan Government, I had the honour of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)… pic.twitter.com/5C3d8OKyzz

— Dr. Alfred N. Mutua (@DrAlfredMutua) October 28, 2024

Mutua stressed Kenya’s commitment to adopting best practices from the US, especially in managing labour relations and ensuring workplace health.

“Our goal with this agreement is to make occupational health and safety a top priority, creating a safer, healthier environment for all Kenyan workers,” he said.

He went ahead to note that the MoU aligns with the country's bid to strengthen social protections, boost productivity, and promote decent work standards.

Among the issues addressed in the MoU are systems to enhance workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance—vital for sustainable economic development.

“Empowered workers are productive workers,” Mutua added, underscoring the government’s focus on workforce empowerment.

Thea Mei Lee heaped praises on Kenya’s proactive stance on labour standards and emphasised how fair labour practices reinforce democratic values. Both countries are committed to upholding internationally recognised labour rights and supporting each other’s efforts toward equitable, sustainable labour standards.

Also attending the signing was Shadrack Mwadime, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department of Labour.