Bilateral Labour Agreements and Human Rights Protection of Kenya Migrant Workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council
| dc.contributor.author | Njoka Neema M M R | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-09-14T07:20:49Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-09-14T07:20:49Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.description.abstract | In recent years, the global Labour market has seen a substantial increase in the movement of migrant workers, driven by factors such as economic disparities, demographic shifts, and Labour shortages in various industries. However, despite the existence of the bilateral Labour agreement, the migration process exposes workers to various human rights abuses, including Labour exploitation, discrimination, and lack of access to social protections. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the existing bilateral Labour agreements and their effectiveness in protecting the human rights of Kenyan Labour migrants in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries. Specific objectives included examining the existing Bilateral Labour Agreements, policies and regulations between Kenya and GCC countries, exploring the push and pull factors that make Kenyan workers travel to the GCC Countries despite the challenges faced, to establish the reasons for human rights abuses on Kenyan migrant workers in Gulf Cooperation Council and to determine the mechanisms through which existing Bilateral Labour Agreements can best serve interests of and safeguard Human rights of Kenyan Workers in GCC Countries. This study is based on Ravenstein’s Theory of Migration (RTM) and Interest Theory of Human Rights. This study used qualitative research, emphasizing understanding and interpreting complex social phenomena. This study adopted a research design based on primary data collection method and secondary data analysis to explore the connection between Bilateral Labour Agreements and the protection of human rights for Kenyan migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Primary data collection involved conventional methods, such as interviews with guides to former migrant workers at GCC and Kenyan government officials in relevant ministries/agencies concerned with migrant workers at GCC—secondary data analysis involved collecting and examining pre-existing data from diverse sources. The study also relied on established secondary data sources, including government reports, international media, academic research, and organizations. The collected data was subjected to content analysis to reveal essential themes and qualitative insights. The study reveals that many GCC countries lack comprehensive legal frameworks to protect migrant workers' rights, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Existing Labour laws are often poorly enforced, and domestic workers are mostly excluded from Labour law protections. The study recommends renewing Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs) between Kenya and GCC countries, raising awareness about workers' rights, establishing a Task Force Committee, adopting Asian Labour governance strategies, and establishing a robust migrant database for policymaking. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.ndu.ac.ke/handle/123456789/159 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | NDU-K | |
| dc.title | Bilateral Labour Agreements and Human Rights Protection of Kenya Migrant Workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council | |
| dc.type | Thesis |