Balancing working hours: Equitable remuneration in Kenyan work environments

The issue of paying employees for extra hours of labour goes beyond legal considerations and speaks to the fundamentals of establishing a fair and equal workplace. [iStockphoto]

The ongoing discussion about paying employees for overtime remains relevant and important as the year draws to a close, especially given the Kenyan work setting. Kenyan labourers frequently struggle with long workdays, and the issue of whether they ought to receive just compensation for this additional time is becoming increasingly common.

Beyond just being a legal issue, overtime pay is an essential part of promoting justice and fairness in the workplace. Labour laws in Kenya clearly define overtime as any time worked in excess of the regular working hours. The way these regulations are actually applied though, varies frequently.