Kenya to push for removal of work permits

By Luke Anami

Kenya is pushing for the removal of work permits at the regional level to enhance free movement of workers.

The Government fears the requirement could be used by some East African Community (EAC) member states to restrict free movement of workers in the region.

"Kenya will be applying to the EAC to remove the work permit requirement from the Common Market treaty," Amason Kingi, the EAC minister, said during the workshop to sensitise Association of professional Society of East Africa (APSEA) on the EAC common market treaty.

Currently, only Rwanda has removed the work permit requirement for East Africans seeking to work in Rwanda.

Kenya, on the other hand, has a bilateral arrangement with Rwanda, granting Rwandese reprieve from applying for a work permit in Kenya.

"In order to set the ball rolling, the EAC ministry will propose to the Government to extend this to all East Africans," Kingi said.

While responding to APSEA’s request to the ministry to facilitate free movement of professional services within the EAC, Kingi said his ministry has already petitioned the ministry of Immigration to look into the proposal.

Facilitate movement

Kingi rubbished claims that the removal of work permit would compromise security and deny other member states the much-needed revenue.

"The argument that the requirement be retained as a source of revenue collection does not hold water," he said.

The minister said there are other benefits that would accrue to respective economies. Singling out specialisation and skills, he said the movement of people to areas where they can optimally be deployed, would offset any loss the removal of work permits could create.

Dr Daniel Ichangi, APSEA Chairman called for the elimination of the work permit in its entirety.

He has also called for the inclusion of annex on Mutual recognition of academic and professional qualifications, which would facilitate free movement of services.