A new website has been launched by Kenya's Ministry of Labour and
IOM that provides information to Kenyans seeking work abroad aimed
at countering human trafficking.

In addition to information on human trafficking, the website has
a jobs data bank where jobseekers can log onto and search online
for available employment through advertisements placed by
employers.

The government website, launched officially by Labour and Human
Resource Development Minister, John K. Munyes, hosts a list of
government accredited private employment agencies in a bid to
protect jobseekers from bogus recruitment companies, is the only
one of its kind in Kenya providing this function at no cost.

"With a population of about 40 million people and unemployment
standing at over 10 per cent, and a large number of people living
below the poverty line, Kenya has a sizeable population that is
vulnerable to both domestic and international trafficking," said
Minister Munyes.

Kenya, which is a country of origin, transit and destination for
human trafficking, is witness to both internal and international
human trafficking.

Internal trafficking is mainly for domestic labour and sexual
exploitation while cross-border trafficking is characterized by
forced labour, domestic servitude, labour and sexual
exploitation.

Increasing economic differentiation within and between the
countries of the region, a decline in regional stability and human
security, and false perceptions about employment opportunities
abroad constitute push factors for East African migrants seeking a
better livelihood abroad. Unfortunately, some recruitment agencies
have in the past few years acted as a conduit to international
trafficking, especially to the Middle East for labour
exploitation.

The website also provides pre-departure and post-arrival
information for labour migrants, data on Kenyan labour migration
including basic information on those leaving the country to work
abroad as well as details on the foreign employer. While it is not
a legal requirement for foreign-based Kenyan employees to register
with the Ministry of Labour, the information is useful, especially
in emergencies or when contracts are in dispute and an arbitrator
is required. 

To visit the website, part an IOM counter-trafficking programme
in Kenya funded by the Norwegian embassy in Nairobi for the past
three years, please go to: href="http://www.labour.go.ke/hrme/" target="_blank" title=
"">http://www.labour.go.ke/hrme/

For more information please contact:

Alice Kimani

IOM Nairobi

Tel.: 4444174 ext 225

E-mail: "mailto:akimani@iom.int">akimani@iom.int

or Rose Ogola

Tel.: 4444174 ext 151