Push and pull on house helps’ NSSF levies

By Caroline Rwenji

Kenya: Opinion is divided among employers and employees over the mandatory requirement to register domestic workers with National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Most employers said they would pay the mandatory Sh400 only if they had stable domestic workers.

Mama Ashley, a business woman in Nairobi, said her house helps leave after working for few weeks.

“What happens if I commit myself to pay for a person who doesn’t last a month? A system needs to be worked out or else they register and pay for themselves,” she said.

She said most girls she has hired shy away from too much work and prefer house holds without young children. “Since I can’t keep up with everyone who leaves after a week or two, they should pay for themselves so that it becomes their responsibility,” she said.

Priscilla Nyokabi, from Kitengela also said domestic workers should register and pay NSSF and National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) levies.

The employees, she said, should take responsibility as it will benefit them in the long run. She, however, said she would pay for her employee if she has stayed with them for long.

Also opposed to paying the fee was Ms Husna Mohamed, who lamented at the unreliability of most domestic workers.

 “What happens if I commit to pay for my domestic worker then she leaves after a month or two yet NSSF had my details and may continue to deduct the fee for a person who is no longer working for me,” she queried.

Most domestic workers she has had, she said, left after weeks and preferred to sleep or be glued to the TV watching soap operas.

Ms Jane Muturi, a mother of two young children, however, said she wil pay the Sh400 for her house help, who has been with her for four years.

Mr Boniface Mwangi said his employer contributes to the social security fund on his behalf. “It is a good move to have domestic workers in the fund since they will have something to fall back to in old age,” he said.

Mr Lazarus Wanyonyi, on the other hand, said his employer does not pay for him the fees. “I am prepared to contribute for myself since the cash will be useful in old age,” he said.