Workers leave empty-handed as Ruto, Cotu focus on 2024 pay review

Workers walked home empty-handed after the government failed to announce a salary increment during Labour Day celebrations, a blow at a time when commodity prices have risen for seven months in a row.

During the event where news on salary increments has always been the highlight, the government and Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) evaded the topic, instead focusing on a six percent minimum wage increment announced last year.

Cotu and the government accused the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) of failing to effect the six percent minimum wage increase.

“Your Excellency you also need to talk to FKE. You gave these workers a six percent minimum wage increase but to date, it is not fully implemented. There is no day when the President has announced a salary increase here and then it becomes a subject of debate,” said Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli.

President William Ruto also said it was unacceptable that some employers have not implemented the wage increase, directing the Ministry of Labour and Head of Public Service to ensure full compliance.

“When we agreed to enhance pay by six percent last year, there ensued a debate and some of the employers have not implemented the six percent we agreed on last year. It is not right, it is unacceptable,” said President Ruto.

However, the FKE faulted the accusation by Cotu and the government, saying there were no complaints against any of its members.

The employers’ lobby said it issued a circular to its members to implement the six percent minimum wage increase last November after legal procedures for implementation were followed.

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“It is not right that employers or FKE has objected to the implementation of the statutory minimum wages, neither have we been made aware of any dispute to any company in the private sector under our membership that is being accused of not implementing,” said FKE Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo.

Ms Mugo said the federation asked its members to implement the decision after wages councils were constituted as required and FKE signed an agreement with Cotu in the State House last year.

She also accused Cotu of siding with the government to implement policies that have ended up hurting workers and businesses.

“I know my brother Francis (Atwoli) will not like me for saying this, but in every policy decision we make whether it is on adjusting statutory minimum wages or introducing any levy, we need to strike a balance to ensure that we both protect the welfare of workers and also allow businesses to grow.

“If businesses do not grow, we will not be able to create opportunities for the millions of youths that are unemployed today and are looking for an opportunity to be productively engaged,” a speech she was blocked from reading said.

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