A Kenyan worker in the United Arab Emirates has challenged the popular belief that travelling to the Gulf in search of greener pastures automatically translates into a better life.
The worker, who shared his views on Facebook, argued that many young Kenyans are attracted to the UAE by the promise of better salaries, only to discover that some entry-level jobs offer modest pay while demanding long hours and difficult living conditions.
He particularly took issue with unskilled jobs such as general helper positions, saying workers earn an average of Sh40,000 a month.
“These unskilled jobs, like being a helper, are a waste of time. Let’s be honest, there’s no good salary. The highest amount paid to helpers is around Sh40,000, and you’ll struggle mentally so much that you’ll be left wondering,” he wrote.
He argues that the financial equation does not always work for a Kenyan who has spent hundreds of thousands of shillings to secure a job abroad.
According to his account, the process of obtaining a passport, police clearance certificate, paying transport costs, preparing for travel and meeting recruitment or commission charges can push the initial cost above Sh250,000.
Once additional expenses after arrival are included, he estimates that a worker could spend close to Sh300,000 before settling into employment.
The worker questioned whether such an investment makes sense when the eventual salary could be only Sh40,000 a month.
He described the situation as particularly difficult for workers who arrive with loans to repay and families depending on them for financial support.
“Come here, struggle before receiving your first salary, spend another Sh50,000 and you have spent almost Sh300,000, only to receive a Sh40,000 salary,” he wrote.
He further warned that the financial burden can be compounded by poor accommodation, inadequate food, long working hours and the psychological strain that comes with living and working far from home.
He advised job seekers to consider investing in a sustainable source of income back home rather than leaving the country to only come back empty-handed.
“If we calculate 40 × 24, that comes to 1 million. Over two years, how much will you have spent? You may have sent money home and paid off loans, but in the end, you could be left with nothing.”
“But let’s say you have your own Sh300,000. Invest in young bulls. Buy 20 bulls at Sh15,000 each and rear them for a period of two years. Each bull could reach a value of Sh80,000. At that point, you would have Sh1.6 million of your own and you would also be mentally healthy,” he wrote.
The Gulf job market
The Gulf remains a major destination for Kenyan job seekers, with most workers destined for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE.
Common jobs in these countries include hospitality, security, cleaning and housekeeping, domestic work, driving, construction, retail, customer service, and logistics.
Most Kenyans working in the Gulf have raised concerns about exploitation by unscrupulous recruitment agencies, contract breaches, human trafficking, and poor working and living conditions.
The Kenyan Government has intensified efforts to protect its citizens working in Gulf countries amid persistent reports of abuse, exploitation and poor working conditions, particularly among domestic workers.
Among the key measures is the regulation of recruitment agencies and strengthening pre-departure preparation for workers aimed at safeguarding Kenyans from false promises about salaries and jobs.
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