State announces 10 per cent increase in minimum wage

By ISAIAH LUCHELI

The Government has awarded all workers a 10 per cent pay increment on the basic minimum wage.

Making the announcement during Labour Day celebrations Saturday, Prime Minister Raila Odinga explained the Government had taken the step due to the low purchasing power of the people following the skyrocketing prices of commodities.

Raila added about 750,000 young Kenyans leave school and seek employment every year and noted the Government faced a challenge of creating decent jobs and income generating activities.

"The Government is developing national policies in the areas of employment, labour export, Diaspora, child labour, wages and income, industrial training, occupational safety and health and national security to promote employment and safe guard the interests of workers," he said.

Safety for workers

The PM told the workers the Government had established the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, noting that the safety of the workers had a direct impact on productivity and competitiveness.

He added that beginning October, last year, the Government had made it mandatory for all employers to remit National Social Security Fund (NSSF) savings for workers.

The PM told the workers that the Government was in the process of developing Small and Micro Enterprises Bill, which would be submitted to the Attorney General to improve the life of those in the small industries.

"The Government has identified the Small and Micro Enterprises sector as a significant player in employment creation and poverty reduction," he said.

Raila reiterated the Government’s commitment to protecting local industries against unfair competitions, which led to the loss of jobs.

"Among other measures we have directed the Kenya Armed Forces, police and prisons to procure uniforms and other clothing from Kenyan manufacturers instead of importing them. This will save many jobs and our struggling textile industry," he said.

Skills transfer

The PM noted Kenyans living abroad contributed significantly to the country’s economy and explained the Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for them to play a key role in development.

"The formulation of the Diaspora policy will create enabling environment for Kenyans abroad to play a key role in development of the country through increased remittances and skills transfer," he said.

He added the Government is in the process of conducting a national manpower survey and establishment of a skills inventory in line with Vision 2030.

The PM said although there are challenges in the accelerated efforts towards the integration of the East African Community, it would result in a larger labour market.

"The main challenges include labour migration across the states. To address this challenge, all member states will conduct national manpower surveys concurrently," he said.