MPs debate motion to waive clearance fees for jobseekers
Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau speaks during a press conference at a Nairobi hotel on November 26, 2017. She wants jobseekers exempted from paying to acquire clearance certificates. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Ms Gitau wants the government to speed up the establishment of the National Employment Authority.
Members of Parliament have begun debate on a motion that seeks to compel the government to waive fees paid for the numerous clearance documents required as one applies for a job.
Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, who has sponsored the motion, also wants the government to speed up the establishment of the National Employment Authority.
Ms Gitau argued that the fees paid for a tax compliance certificate, a certificate of good conduct, loan clearance, integrity certificate and clearance with the credit reference bureau are prohibitive for the youth as they cost a cumulative Sh4,500.
UNEMPLOYED
The documents are issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Higher Education Loans Board (Helb), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Credit Reference Bureau.
“Punishing young people for being unemployed should be vehemently opposed by this House.
"For example, when the government requires to be paid for a certificate of good conduct, it seems like the government is punishing the youth for not having a criminal record,” Ms Gitau said as she initiated debate.
She said the requirement for a clearance certificate from the Credit Reference Bureau serves as punishment for those who have to travel long distances to Nairobi while that from Helb suggests that the government does not know who has borrowed funds to finance their education.
She said the rules make many feel discriminated.
