State gazettes minimum wage increase
By Alvin Mwangi and Faith Macharia, August 21, 2024Workers in Kenya are set for a salary increment after Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua revealed the government was in the process of gazetting the 6 percent minimum wage increment.
Mutua who spoke during a meeting with Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the Kenya Kwanza government was also keen on addressing key challenges especially long working hours without proper remuneration.
“I am seized of the matters our workers are facing and I can assure you that we are on the right track. The gazettement of the wages should happen soon,” said the CS, giving hope to millions of workers eagerly awaiting the pay rise.
During Labour Day celebrations this year, President William Ruto asked the Ministry of Labour to hold a meeting with the relevant labour relations committee so as to raise the minimum wage by at least 6 per cent.
This, he said, is part of the government’s initiative to uplift the welfare of workers.
These include wage councils for seafarers and protective, general and agricultural workers.
“They will negotiate minimum wages in different sectors, enhancing conciliation, mediation and industrial peace,” he said.
Mutua also touched on the growing number of job opportunities abroad for Kenyan workers Mutua revealed that there are currently 452,000 jobs available in various countries, and the government is committed to facilitating Kenyans in taking up these opportunities.
However, he expressed disappointment over the mistreatment of workers by rogue employment agencies, vowing to crack down on such entities.