Francis Atwoli, Secretary General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions, Kenya (COTU), has once again demanded the abolition of the National Employment Authority (NEA), accusing it of promoting modern-day slavery.

In a post on his official X account on Monday, May 19, 2025, Atwoli expressed deep concern about the increasing trend of labour exportation from Kenya without proper safeguards to protect workers’ rights.

“There has been growing concern about the increasing trend of labour exportation, which lacks proper structures to protect the rights and welfare of the workers involved,” Atwoli said. He noted that this has been a longstanding issue he has publicly opposed, urging the government repeatedly to dismantle the NEA.

Atwoli did not hold back in his criticism, calling the NEA “an agent of modern slavery.” He said the authority should not function independently but be absorbed into the Ministry of Labour.

According to him, the NEA works closely with employment agents who send domestic workers abroad, especially to Gulf countries, without a proper assessment of the working conditions they will face.

“These agents are nothing short of modern-day slave traders,” Atwoli said.

“The laws that permit these agents to operate must be suspended immediately.

“These agents send our young people to countries like Saudi Arabia without conducting any assessment of the working conditions they will face.

He warned of the grim fate many Kenyan youth endure abroad.

“Many of our youth end up in inhumane situations, forced to work for people who believe they ‘own’ them, like slaves. You’ve seen these stories on television.”

Atwoli called for a ban on the export of domestic workers and unskilled labour, particularly to the Gulf region.

“It is modern slavery, plain and simple.”

Rather than exporting untrained workers, Atwoli emphasised the need for Kenya to focus on developing its economy and generating local jobs.

“Instead of exporting our workforce, we need mechanisms to grow our own economy and create employment opportunities within Kenya. Kenya has long been a hub of economic activity in the region.”

“There has been growing concern about the increasing trend of labour exportation, which lacks proper structures to protect the rights and welfare of the workers involved.

This is something I have spoken out against for a long time. If you review past press statements, you'll… pic.twitter.com/mEEGXCeLDS

— Francis Atwoli NOM (DZA), CBS, EBS, MBS. (@AtwoliDza) May 19, 2025

He recalled Kenya’s past economic leadership in East Africa.

“Until recently, we had the highest GDP in East Africa, surpassing Ethiopia until they overtook us.

We need to go back to the drawing board. We must implement policies that attract investors.”

Atwoli’s statement follows Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua’s recent announcement that 153 unlicensed job recruitment firms have been reported to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations for investigation.

Mutua condemned fraudulent agents who scam job seekers but noted that government efforts have reduced such cases.

Atwoli’s remarks highlight ongoing challenges in protecting Kenyan workers and call for urgent reforms in the labour export sector.