COTU boss Atwoli demands gazettement of Ruto's 12% general wage increase directive

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) has demanded the immediate gazettement and implementation of the 12 per cent general wage increase announced by President William Ruto during this year's Labour Day celebrations, saying the recent wage adjustments fall short of the Head of State's directive.

In a statement issued on Friday, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli expressed concern that the latest gazette notice appeared to focus on adjustments to the statutory minimum wage instead of implementing the broader wage increase promised to all workers.

"The recent gazettement 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.

According to Atwoli, President Ruto had "unequivocally announced a 12 per cent General Wage Increase for Kenyan workers and a 15 per cent wage increase for agricultural workers" during the 61st Labour Day celebrations on May 1, adding that workers had expected the pledge to be implemented in full.

The COTU boss further claimed that some employers had been lobbying government institutions to replace the promised general wage increase with a minimum wage adjustment.

"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," Atwoli stated.

He maintained that the two measures serve different purposes, arguing that while a minimum wage increase only benefits workers earning the statutory minimum, a general wage increase is intended to improve earnings across the entire wage structure and cushion workers against inflation and the rising cost of living.

Atwoli called on the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection to urgently gazette the 12 per cent general wage increase "exactly as announced" by President Ruto.

"The will of the President, as publicly communicated to the nation and to Kenyan workers, should be faithfully implemented without alteration or dilution," he said.

He also appealed to the Office of the President to intervene and ensure the commitment made to Kenyan workers is honoured through the gazettement and implementation of the general wage increase.