Cotu warns employers against ignoring workers' 18pc pay rise

President Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and Central Organization of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli during the Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park, Nairobi on May 1, 2017. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Cotu deputy secretary-general Ernest Nadome said all employers must comply with the directive immediately upon gazettement by the Labour and Treasury ministries.
  • Mr Ernest Nadome urged the Labour Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie and her Treasury counterpart Henry Rotich to gazette the President’s decree in order for the workers to get the pay increment.

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions has warned employers against ignoring President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to increase the minimum wage of low income earners by 18 per cent.

The organisation’s deputy secretary-general Ernest Nadome said all employers must comply with the directive immediately upon gazettement by the Labour and Treasury ministries.

“We know there are some employers out there who want to arm-twist workers by not implementing the increment as directed by President Kenyatta but we want to warn them that upon gazettement of the President’s decree, it should be implemented immediately,” Mr Nadome said at a news conference on Wednesday in Nairobi.

“We do not want to listen to the usual unnecessary noise from employers each time there is a pay increase. They should adhere to the directive as issued by the President,” he added.

CONVENE MEETING

Mr Nadome said President Kenyatta had directed the Cabinet Secretary for Industrialisation, Adan Mohamed, to urgently convene a meeting with employers to explore measures to cushion them from costs associated with non-labour factors and, therefore, they should not have any excuse of failing to implement the pay rise.

The official urged the Labour Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie and her Treasury counterpart Henry Rotich to move with speed and gazette the President’s decree in order for the workers to get the pay increment.

For the President’s directive not to be deemed a political gimmick, he said, the two Cabinet secretaries should ensure that it is gazetted.

INCREASED SALARIES

On Monday, President Kenyatta increased the salaries of low income earners by 18 per cent in a bid to counter the high cost of living that Kenyans are grappling with.

The President also said taxable bonuses and over time have been increased to Sh100,000, therefore, those below the mark will be non-taxable.

Mr Nadome said as workers they were happy with the award of the 18 per cent pay rise, saying it will go a long way in cushioning workers against the high inflation rate in the country.

“I know as a union we demanded a 22 per cent pay increase but we still appreciate the 18 per cent awarded by President Kenyatta since workers have not received anything for the last two years,” Mr Nadome said.