After Kenya-Germany deal, fraudsters target vulnerable jobseekers
Officials charged with spreading awareness on the Kenya-Germany labour deal are already fighting off fraudsters using news of the arrangement to con vulnerable jobseekers.
Today (Friday), the first potential Kenyan employees under the arrangement will meet their prospective German employers for an assessment. But officials said they were aware of fraudsters circulating parallel but false information about job offers, at a fee.
Germany’s Deputy Head of Mission in Kenya, Mr Alexander Fierley, told the Nation that the Embassy is battling troves of misinformation regarding the agreement between Nairobi and Berlin.
“I want to be very clear that there is no payment to be made by any applicant for a job opportunity in Germany. Our laws are very clear: other than payment for visa and learning the German language which are paid for by the candidate, every other thing, including training and accommodation in Germany, should be catered for by the employer,” he said.
The Friday session between potential employers and employees, he said, is free for all those invited.
But German officials say they’ve noted that some Kenyans are still suspicious of the free offer, and were still asking how to pay and be assured of a job.
Bruno Backes, the Head of Vocational Training at the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce for Eastern Africa, said some applicants appeared hesitant to proceed when told the opening was free.
“Many times, candidates hesitate when told that they do not have to pay a dime to get employed,” he noted.
“There is a lot of scepticism and this is what we are finding quite odd…because that is how things should be,” he said.
The first batch under the deal will have 1,500 young Kenyans, Mr Fierley indicated, and will hold exchanges with German entities at the Sarit Centre in Nairobi.
According to the embassy, the conference will bring at least 100 recruitment agencies who will be scouting for talent for German companies and initiate hiring processes for qualified candidates to get to their new work stations smoothly.
However, this specific conference will be limited to the candidates who were competitively selected after passing requirements such as proficiency in the German language and requisite skills needed for them to work, study and potentially settle in Germany.
Germany has published guidelines for those interested in working in Germany at www.make-it-in-germany.com. The Embassy says it will also hold regular workshops to help applicants get the correct information on available opportunities.
However, the German Mission clarified that getting a job offer does not automatically rule out the usual process of getting a visa, which requires rigorous vetting to ascertain a person’s suitability to settle in Germany. Still, applicants will have to settle their visa fees.
Whereas the focus is largely on job opportunities, Amb Fierley said the agreement also provides opportunities for education at Germany’s leading Technical and Vocational Training and Education (TVET) institutes.
This arrangement will, however, be conducted by the employers who will pay for the education costs, provide accommodation and after three years, offer full employment to students.
With a population whose average age is 45 years, Mr Backes said Germany’s labour market needs approximately 400,000 skilled workers from abroad, and is particularly keen on recruiting people to fill the gap created by the aging workforce.
The most sought-after skills are in the nursing, mechanics, logistics and hospitality sectors.
Initially, when the deal was signed, numbers of those who will get jobs became controversial after President Ruto indicated that 250,000 Kenyans will be employed in Germany. However, Berlin contradicted this, saying the pact did not state the exact number of skilled Kenyans who would be allowed into the country.
After a flurry of corrections, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs later said there was no specific number to be hired, taking cue from the refutations in Berlin.
soketch@ke.nationmedia.com
Shows
See AllAM Live
AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
Comedies
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Documentaries
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Entertainment
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Full Episodes
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
One Health Lens Podcast
Discussing health matters and human stories from Kenya and across Africa. We talk big picture from people to policy, ecosystems, and everything in between. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onehealthlens
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Primetime
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Speaking of GEN Z
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport On
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Tech-over
The extent of technological growth is beyond mere acknowledgment; it has seamlessly integrated into our daily existence. A few years ago, the notion of paying electricity bills through mobile money or recharging with 'tokens' in Kenya seemed inconceivable. Online product sales were considered distant, and artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping various facets of our lives. Amidst these technological leaps, those with a solid understanding of tech can navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and build a sustainable livelihood. Tech over Show aims to be the platform facilitating discussions among thought leaders, innovators, tech companies, and the government, addressing challenges and opportunities in Kenya's thriving tech industry.
Thamani
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
The Politalk podcast
This is The Politalk podcast. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
The Trend
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The trend podcast
The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA
The Wicked Edition
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
Trending
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
Unscripted
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
VIP Access
VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.
WADR
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
When death do us part
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.