For decades, the plight of employees in the private sector has been left in the hands of brute employers whose priority has always been maximising profits.

Kenya has for years been signatory to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) through which it purports to espouse promotion of rights at work, encouragement of decent employment opportunities and enhances social protection at work places.

Due to the unemployment crisis in Kenya, like most other third world economies, some employers have unfortunately taken advantage of the situation to subject desperate citizens working in private firms to modern-day slavery.

Cases abound where millions of Kenyan, particularly those working in private firms in Nairobi’s Industrial Area, agricultural farms and manufacturing firms are exploited by being subjected to work on poor remunerations and working environment and long working hours.

Only a few private firms adhere to the ILO standards, with the majority flouting all regulations put in place by the government.

These malpractices are said to be taking place at the watch of Labour Officers from the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Services.

Though not verified, word has it that some of the unscrupulous employers have several of the labour officers completely in their pockets.

Even efforts by the National Employment Authority (NEA), which is mandated to advise, formulate and implement employment policies and strategies, seems to have become a cropper.

The apparent lack of efficacy by the labour movement has made the situation worse as most of trade unions have either gone to bed with employers, or have been reduced to spectators.

But the government has the responsibility to make and enforce laws that protect the rights of workers. This should create the environment in which workers are free to join trade unions.

That is why we think that the bold step by the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) to tie down employers in the security sector into a legal commitment to pay their workers the set minimum salary is the surest way towards protecting the workers’ rights. According to PSRA, all security firms must commit themselves to paying their guards the newly gazetted salaries of Sh30,000 and Sh27,000 for those operating in Nairobi and elsewhere respectively.