The Delegation for German Industry, Commerce for Eastern Africa and the German Embassy in cooperation with GIZ have organized a conference on labour migration to Germany on 27 September, 0830 hrs – 1300hrs in Sarit Expo Center, Cherengani Hall, 2nd floor, Nairobi.
This conference will also feature exhibition stands by German companies (i.a. DHL, Beiersdorf), recruiting agencies and German organisations that can provide relevant information on the subject of migration to Germany in the context of employment or student mobility, such as Goethe Institut or DAAD. This conference is one of the many steps to implement the German Kenyan comprehensive migration and mobility partnership agreement.
Keynote speakers include H.E. Sebastian Groth, German Ambassador to Kenya and Hon. Dr. Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection. Panel discussions and presentations will focus on Pathways to Germany – Opportunities and Challenges, The Educational and Economic Systems of Germany and Kenya, Integration in Germany and more. Media representatives are cordially invited to attend the conference throughout and visit the exhibition stands.
The comprehensive migration and mobility partnership agreement signed on 13 September 2023 provides a framework for cooperation and information exchange on labour mobility, apprenticeships, student training, labour market needs, employment and the welfare of employees, as well as for readmission and return.
Germany and Kenya therein commit notably to promote the fair mobility of skilled workers, students and apprentices, the
temporary migration for reasons of vocational education and training and to cooperate on fair and ethical recruitment practices.
Both governments also endeavour to cooperate on the recognition of degrees, qualifications, certificates and skills through the exchange of information about training institutions and the recognition of degrees and professional qualifications. Germany has also concluded similar agreements before with Georgia, Morocco and India and afterwards with Uzbekistan.
The exhibitors for the job fair were carefully selected based on two key criteria: German companies that are seeking skilled workers for their branches in Germany, and recruitment agencies with experience in international recruitment and good connections to the German labour market.
A crucial factor in the selection process was that all exhibitors adhere to the principles of ethical recruitment. This means they do not charge fees to job seekers, provide comprehensive consultation and information prior to departure, and ensure proper
onboarding for candidates once they arrive in Germany.
The invitation to register for this event was circulated to German learning and German speaking young Kenyans through the network of German partner organisations such as Goethe Institut and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Because the capacity of the venue is limited, registration had to be closed soon to guarantee for the safety and security of all participants.
Misinformation has been circulated on social media, that the German Embassy would conduct a job fair in secret to award 250,000 jobs to Kenyans on the basis of a Kenyan-German government-to-government job deal. On its social media channels the German Embassy debunked this misinformation with fact-based messaging.
The agreement between Kenya and Germany is none-quota based, the federal government and its embassies are not directly involved in match-making between job-seekers and potential employers, information on the labour market in Germany as well as job vacancies, qualification requirements and different types of visa are readily available on www.-make-it-in- germany.com.
Information on the outcome and key takeaways of the conference will be shared with the public on social media and the delegation for German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa is already planning follow-up events.
