Africa-Press – Kenya. The government, through the Ministry of Labour, has ordered the immediate implementation of the 6 per cent minimum wage for all employees in the country.
Speaking on Thursday, May 15, during a regional conference in Mombasa County, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua announced a planned crackdown on companies to ensure compliance.
While making the announcement, the CS warned that decisive action would be taken against non-compliant companies. These actions include the immediate closure of the defiant firms.
“To the employment sector and in particular the private sector. I gazetted the minimum wage of 6 per cent in November last year, and the gazette was not a suggestion or a request,” Mutua stated.
He went on to add: “It was a legal directive that people’s wages need to be increased by 6 per cent as per the notice. We will be inspecting companies to ensure that they follow that directive.”
In his speech, Mutua advised Kenyans who are yet to receive their salary increment as per the minimum wage requirement to report the matter to the Ministry of Labour offices for action.
The 6 per cent minimum wage demand came into effect in November last year, a move that was aimed at improving the welfare of thousands of workers, particularly those earning smaller amounts.
The implementation of the minimum wage followed thorough consultations among stakeholders within the employment sector, including the Ministry of Labour and trade unionists.
Meanwhile, Mutua’s latest directive comes a fortnight after President William Ruto ordered the Labour CS to ensure the minimum wage increase was fully enforced.
Speaking during the Labour Day Celebrations at the Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi, the Head of State revealed that despite previous orders for employers to adhere to the directive, most of them had yet to implement it.
“Last year, we agreed to enhance workers’ pay by 6 per cent, but there was a debate that some employers have not implemented it. It is not right and it is also not acceptable,” Ruto said.
“I am directing the ministry to work with the Head of Public Service to ensure that every employer implements the minimum 6 per cent wage increase that we agreed upon last year,” he added.
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