COTU secretary-general Francis Atwoli has again drawn attention to the wage concerns of the workers as he calls on the government to reconsider the minimum wage considering the high cost of living being experienced by Kenyans.
In his New Year address, Atwoli noted: ‘Today’s salary structure is rapidly becoming disconnected from reality, because many of our workers are no longer able to cover their basic needs despite their lengthy working hours in order for the economy to keep moving.’
“Workers of this country have immensely contributed to building and improving our economy,” Atwoli said. “The government must now act fast to improve the minimum wage, and employers must make room for smooth-flowing Collective Bargaining Agreement talks.”
He called on private employers to engage in good faith talks on the CBA agreement. He argued that improved dialogue would mean improved remuneration and working conditions of employees. Atwoli has also called on the government to plan in advance. He argued that the terms and conditions of the employees should be improved before the month of May which is known to influence negotiations.
Today, there are different minimum wages across different regions. For general labor in major cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret, the pay is pegged at KSh16,113 per month. In smaller towns and rural areas, workers earn a maximum of KSh8,596 per month. Certain job groups, for instance cooks, night watchmen, and miners, earn a slightly higher salary.
The rates are now determined by the Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order 2024. The last change was in November 2024, when the government sanctioned a six percent hike in the minimum wage rate. Currently, the new scheme will remain operational until a new wage order is announced.
This occasion was also used by Atwoli to revamp his past statements regarding the private security industry. In December, he instructed security companies to obey a wage rate of no less than KSh30,000, accusing companies of disobeying labor laws without repercussions.
As per Atwoli, only a few of the 2,000 registered firms operating in this sector are in full compliance with taxes. Hundreds of firms, according to Atwoli, pay neither statutory wages nor taxes, while others function without offices.
The union leader further expressed concern over job retrenchments in the sector, with allegations of some employers taking advantage of and failing to consider the welfare of the employees. He thus called for improved observance of employment law to ensure a basic right to a good income and treatment is provided to all employees.
