Germany to welcome Kenyan workers under new labour agreement

Berlin has agreed to a targeted labour migration deal that will allow skilled and semi-skilled Kenyan workers to enter Germany. 

This arrangement comes as Kenya struggles to provide sufficient employment and income for its young professionals, while Germany faces a shortage of skilled labour, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.  

The German government has clarified that the agreement does not stipulate a specific number of workers to be admitted. This deal is part of Germany's broader strategy to manage immigration effectively. Additionally, the agreement will facilitate the repatriation of Kenyans residing in Germany without legal status.  

A pilot project has already seen five Kenyan bus drivers arrive in Flensburg, northern Germany. Immigration has become a significant issue in Germany, especially with the rise of the far-right, anti-immigration party, Alternative for Germany (AfD). In recent years, Germany has admitted a large number of asylum seekers, including over one million people during the 2015-2016 migrant crisis and 1.2 million Ukrainians since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.  

The labour agreement was signed in Berlin by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Kenya's President William Ruto. Under the deal, Germany will relax some immigration laws to allow Kenyans to find jobs in Europe’s largest economy. Kenyan workers who secure approved employment may also have their temporary residence permits extended. 

Furthermore, Kenyans will be eligible for long-term visas to study or undertake vocational training in Germany.   The agreement specifies that upon the expiry of a long-stay visa, Kenyans may receive a temporary residence permit for study purposes in Germany for up to two years.

This permit may be extended if the intended purpose has not yet been fulfilled but remains achievable within a reasonable timeframe. Additionally, IT specialists from Kenya will be permitted to work in Germany even without formal qualifications.