The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) has urged the government to formally gazette and implement President William Ruto’s promised 12 per cent general wage increase, arguing that the latest wage notice does not reflect the commitment made to workers during this year’s Labour Day celebrations.
In a statement released on Friday, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the recently published gazette notice focused on raising the statutory minimum wage rather than giving legal effect to the President’s broader pledge to increase wages across the workforce.
“The recent gazette appears to have focused on adjustments to the statutory minimum wage instead of giving legal effect to the President’s directive on a General Wage Increase applicable across the workforce,” Atwoli said.
During the 61st Labour Day celebrations on May 1, President Ruto announced a 12 per cent general wage increase for Kenyan workers and a 15 per cent increase for agricultural workers. The announcement was widely welcomed by labour unions, which expected it to be implemented through the appropriate legal process.
Atwoli said some employer groups had sought to replace the promised general wage increase with an adjustment to the minimum wage, a move he argued would leave many workers without the intended benefit.
“COTU (K) is aware that, since the President’s historic announcement, certain employer interests have been lobbying government institutions in an attempt to water down the intended wage increase by substituting a General Wage Increase with a Minimum Wage Increase,” he said.
He maintained that the two measures serve different purposes. While an increase in the minimum wage benefits employees earning the legal minimum, a general wage increase applies more broadly across salary scales and is intended to help workers cope with inflation and the rising cost of living.
COTU has now called on the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection to gazette the 12 per cent wage increase “exactly as announced” by the President.
“The will of the President, as publicly communicated to the nation and to Kenyan workers, should be faithfully implemented without alteration or dilution,” Atwoli said.
He also appealed to the Office of the President to intervene and ensure the wage pledge is implemented as promised.
The government had not publicly responded to COTU’s latest demand by the time of publication. Any change affecting wages across the economy is expected to require formal legal backing before employers can implement it.
About the Author
