Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Alfred Mutua has reassured workers that the proposed 6% minimum wage increase will be implemented before the end of the year.
Addressing concerns about the timelines for implementation, CS Mutua announced that workers could start seeing the increase reflected in their pay slips from as early as the beginning of October.
Dr. Mutua made these remarks following discussions with key stakeholders, including the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), represented by President Gilda Odera and Executive Director Jackline Mugo on September 3, 2024.
During the talks, Mutua committed to fast-tracking the gazettement of several crucial councils necessary for the wage increment’s implementation.
These bodies include the Wages Council, Seafarers Council, Agricultural Workers Council, and Private Security Guards Council.
Mutua speaks on proposed 6% minimum wage increase
CS Mutua Emphasizing the government’s commitment to economic growth and called on employers to adhere to best practices and ensure fairness for employees, highlighting the importance of occupational health.
“The economy can’t grow if the private sector is not growing. If the private sector shrinks, then no jobs are created,” Mutua stated.
Also Read: Mutua Speaks on Wage Increase After Meeting Atwoli Amid Looming Strikes
CS Mutua also expressed his intention to visit various workplaces to personally assess the treatment of workers.
At the same time, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) pledged its full support to Dr. Mutua’s efforts to maintain harmony in the labour sector.
FKE President Gilda Odera stated that the federation is ready to offer technical support to the government in resolving labour issues as they arise.
Looking forward, Dr. Mutua announced that the tripartite partners—comprising the government, FKE, and the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU)—will hold quarterly meetings to review the state of labor in Kenya.
These discussions aim to ensure ongoing dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders to address emerging challenges in the labor sector.
COTU and Ministry officials meet
The announcement by CS Mutua comes after he addressed minimum wage increment for workers while holding crucial talks with COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli amid looming strikes by various national unions.
Also Read: Ruto Orders Increase of Minimum Wage During Labour Day Celebrations [VIDEO]
Mutua on August 20, 2024, held a meeting with COTU’s Francis Atwoli in a bid to cultivate a culture of dialogue, understanding, and harmony within Kenya’s labor sector.
The meeting came at a critical time as the country grapples with longstanding labor issues, including the yet-to-be-implemented 6 percent minimum wage increment.
During the discussions, Mutua assured the COTU leader that the government is fully aware of the minimum wage increment issue and is making considerable progress towards its implementation.
“I am seized of the matter, and progress is good. The gazettement should happen soon,” said the CS.
Mutua was making reference to a directive by President William Ruto made to the Ministry of Labour back in May in which he asked the Ministry to hold a meeting with the relevant labor relations committee so as to raise the minimum wage by at least 6 per cent.
President Ruto made the remarks during the 59th International Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens National Stadium, Nairobi County when he said that it is part of the government’s initiative to uplift the welfare of workers.
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