President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday announced the earlier promised 18 per cent rise in the minimum wage for workers.
Increased too is non-taxable bonuses and overtime to Sh100,000.
President Kenyatta has over the last couple of years progressively increased tax brackets and cut tax rates for low income employees. Currently, the minimum taxable income stands at Sh13, 475.
The president promised the increases during this year’s Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Park.
“For the past two years, we have not increased salaries for private-sector workers, We are now saying, come Labour Day, we will impress on your employers to give you a salary increment.”
On Kenyans working abroad, the president said the Government has streamlined the registration and management of foreign employment agencies, and that every Kenyan going to work abroad must register with the embassy of the country they’re traveling to.
He added that the Jubilee government has worked to sensitize the public on their labor laws through Central Organization of Trade Unions -COTU.
“Together with COTU and FKE, we have developed a mobile labour law application that can be accessed online and on phones,” said the President.
The President also said that the Government has been upbeat in creating more jobs through infrastructural developments, adding that his administration has already approved Sh 40 billion for the development of the Konza Technopolis infrastructure, which will create more jobs for Kenyans.
“Construction is underway. Konza will generate at least 16,000 direct jobs as it is built, and over 200,000 upon completion,” he said.