Exporting labour makes little economic sense

Labour Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie on Wednesday announced Government plans to export labour. Though this might sound noble superficially, it passes as an ill-thought-out policy statement.

Youths aged between 18 and 35 years comprise 35 per cent of the 44 million Kenyans. Of this, 10 million are not in gainful employment. It is therefore easy to understand why the Government would want to export labour, creating jobs for at least 1 million. No doubt, this will ease the unemployment burden after a promise to create 500,000 jobs annually became unattainable.