The Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association (KETHAWA) has termed the proposed 7 to 10 per cent salary increment by President Ruto for civil servants as a ‘slap in the face of workers’ and a drop of water in the ocean.
KETHAWA National Secretary Wangonya Wangenye said the directive is a total violation of the constitution and an action beyond his enumerated powers.
“Civil servants deserve a comprehensive salary and allowance increment bearing in mind that they are the drivers of government operations, and without them, even the economy cannot grow,” he said.
Wangonya claimed that the government has become notorious for invading civil servants’ payslips whenever it requires quick money, citing the recent 1.5% Housing Levy, NSSF contribution, NHIF contribution, PAYE, WCPS and the Provident Fund among other deductions.
“The Constitution of Kenya 2010 established Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices to check on blatant roadside declarations by the President. The President should have left the issue of salary review to Workers Unions, their respective employers and Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to negotiate and agree on the salary increment so that it can be registered in Employment and Labour Relations Court as a CBA,” he stated.
Wangonya regretted that the President has pre-empted the ongoing salary negotiations between unions and Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which could have resulted in a higher salary increment for civil servants and enforcement by the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC).
“In light of this development, we wonder how a presidential declaration will be registered at ELRC as a CBA, not unless the president has become an arbitor between employers and employees.” He concluded.
By Roy Hezron
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