After months of intense back-and-forth, the government, alongside trade unions and business leaders, finally reached a consensus. Employers were firm in their demand for the creation of the National Wages Council before any chatter about pay hikes could occur. Meeting them halfway, Dr. Mutua officially announced the formation of the council and others in different sectors, laying the groundwork for an orderly rollout of wage boosts.
Big news hit the streets—minimum wages are bumping up by 6% effective from October 12, 2024.
In an official ceremony this morning, President William Ruto witnessed the declaration of a gazette notice marking a 6% spike in minimum wages for workers in diverse industries. Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua put pen to paper at Nairobi’s State House, setting the changes into motion starting November 1, 2024, thereby benefiting a multitude of low-wage earners.
Following exhaustive discussions between the state, labor groups, and employers, the creation of the National Wages Council was insisted upon by industry leaders as a precursor to any wage talks. Answering this call, Dr. Mutua mandated this council along with several others, ensuring a sound strategy for wage enhancements.
The revamped pay scheme, as dictated by the Labour Institutions Act Cap 234, sets the bar at KSh 7,997 per month (or KSh 335 per day) for unskilled workers. Meanwhile, those tending livestock will now take home KSh 9,235 monthly (KSh 391 daily).
Skilled and semi-skilled workers stand to see noteworthy pay rises. Domestic helpers and chefs see their base salaries at KSh 9,129 a month (KSh 347 daily), with farm overseers earning KSh 14,427 monthly (KSh 609 daily). Farm clerks are rolled into this new wage bracket at KSh 14,427 a pop each month, and wages for roles such as farm artisans, tractor and combine operators, and truck drivers are pegged between KSh 9,000 and KSh 11,000 monthly.
These beneficial changes reach beyond the farm fields, touching employees in manufacturing, spreading a blanket of wage hikes across varied sectors.
The administration is shouting loud and clear its vow to uplift the lot of minimum wage folks. President Ruto confirmed his team’s duty to tackle the economic woes plaguing the at-risk workforce.
This noteworthy event was graced by notable individuals like COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli and Jacqueline Mugo, CEO of the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE).
When November rolls in, those on the lower wage end can anticipate a welcome bump in their checks, offering a bit of a breather as living expenses keep climbing.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
