If you are, a foreigner aged 35years or less and intending to work in Kenya, your chances are zero because the new Kenyan labour market policy restricts issuance of Work permits to persons in that category.
The new policy also says foreigners seeking permits for jobs that pay less than KSh168,000 per month or KSh2 million per year.
The changes are contained in fresh regulations that Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang’ has published in a special Kenya Gazette notice.
“The Director of Immigration Services shall not issue a residence or work permit to any person unless that person has — at his or her full and free disposition an assured annual income of at least $24,000 or its equivalent in Kenya shillings,” reads part of the regulations aimed at curbing the entry of foreigners into Kenya’s job market.
In yet another related surprise move the government of Uganda has banned international and local NGOs operating in Uganda from employing foreigners unless they show proof that no Ugandan matches the skills of the expatriate staff.
Amb. Gabriel Kangwagye, the NGO registration board chairperson said, “The NGOs come to help the community and complement government effort and should not solicit money in our names to create jobs for themselves,” he said.
“Otherwise, they should set up commercial enterprises, not the not-for-profit, non-political and community-empowerment organisations.”
Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania who are also members of the East African Community, have not announced any similar changes in their labour market regulations.
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