Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) secretary general Francis Atwoli has called upon the government to revoke licenses of employers who will not abide by the 18 percent minimum wage increase to low earning workers.
Addressing the press yesterday in Baringo, Atwoli urged the government to implement the 18 percent minimum wage for workers with immediate effect saying that most workers will benefit from the increase an improve productivity.
“I urge the president to implement the 18 per cent minimum wage he issued during the labor day celebration since most lowly earners depend on it and if any employer declines the government should revoke its license,” He said.
He faulted employers of misusing the courts saying that most of them rush to challenge any increase offered to workers adding that it creates a wrong environment between the employers and employees.
“The employers have created a habit of moving to court whenever an employee seeks an increase, they are misusing the courts,” he added.
According to him, most private employers are seeking assistance from illegal labor organizations in Kenya which are not registered to block their employees from enjoying any wage increase.
“The employers are seeking assistance from amorphous industrial organizations to intimidate their employees by imposing strict measure to regulate pay increase,” said Atwoli.
He accused the employers of bypassing the national labor board authorized to regulate employment within the country and urged the government to arrest any person purporting to regulate the same.
Federation of Kenya Employers had cautioned the government against increasing minimum wages for workers saying it could push employers to relocate to neighboring countries as it will increase the costs of production and slow down growth.
Atwoli added that anyone who intends to set up a company and employ in Kenya should abide by the set labor rules.