Cotu urges unions to renegotiate salary deals
National
By
Okumu Modachi
| Oct 12, 2024
COTU Sec General chats with President William Ruto as Labour CS Dr Alfred Mutua and FKE CEO Jacqueline Mugo look on after the signing of a gazette notice to effect a 6 per cent minimum wage increase at State House Nairobi. [PCS]
The worker’s umbrella body has urged worker’s unions to renegotiate their Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with respective employers.
This follows an increase in the minimum wage by six per cent announced by the government in a gazette notice published on October 11, 2024.
In a statement on Saturday, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya) directed its affiliate unions to negotiate a two-year cycle CBA on behalf of the members to provide flexibility in response to evolving economic conditions.
COTU-K Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the approach will ensure that the six per cent wage increase is integrated into contracts, thereby cushioning workers from losing their purchasing power.“We advise our affiliates to ensure that they negotiate for a two-year cycle CBA to have flexibility in the negotiations in accordance to changing economic dynamics,” he said.
READ MORE
Coffee farmers oppose new payment proposal
US China trade war to drag global economy into recession
Treasury PS blames ballooning debt on costly new constitution
Interpol, FBI probe CBEX scam in Kenya and Nigeria
State taps new team to review Sacco laws
Gen Zs to dominate consumer spending in the next 10 years
Afrexim pushes for Africa trade bloc as protectionism bites
Kenya Airways forced to divert flights over fog
Coffee market experiences low volume as season ends
Push to consolidate small pension schemes gathers pace in reforms
Minimum wage
“This process will ensure that the six per cent increase is duly incorporated, safeguarding the rights and interests of Kenyan workers across various industries,” added Atwoli.
In the new schedule issued by Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, the minimum wage for unskilled employees is set at Sh7,997 per month, translating to Sh335 daily.
At the same time, the Labour Institutions Act Cap 234 set out that skilled and semi-skilled workers will also benefit from the pay hike.
For instance, house managers and cooks will now earn a minimum of Sh9,129 monthly, while farm foremen will receive Sh14,427.
According to the notice, the government expect employers to adjust their staff’s payslips to conform to the directive by November 1, this year.
The gazettement comes months after President William Ruto, on May 1, directed the Ministry of Labour to review the wages of workers across the country.