November 19th 2021
By Norah Okong’o.
The Cabinet Secretary for Labour, Simon Chelugui has called on employers to
promote decent work to help fight corruption in work place.
Mr Chelugui explained that, decent work that involves decent wage and
recommended framework for daily and weekly work time, rest periods and annual
holidays motivate workers and help fight corruption.
Embracing decent work, he noted, was important for the economy because the
framework ensures that individual workers have disposable income which they
could spend in the local economy. He explained that, spending by employees help
create employment opportunities and growth of local enterprises.
Speaking while launching the 3rd Generation Decent Work Country Programme at
a Nairobi hotel, Mr chelugui said, decent work agenda also helps stabilize
employment in the labour market and mitigate unforeseen circumstances such the
COVID-19 pandemic. “We should be able to learn on how to implement decent
work agenda in the face of any pandemic so that we can be better prepared in
future pandemics’, said Mr Chelugui..
The Cabinet Secretary said, decent work ethics demands that employers should
follow due process before terminating services of employees. He urged leaders in
the labour sector to promote inclusive economic growth and better employment
opportunities to ensure economic security for citizens and environmental
protection.
The Cabinet Secretary said there is an estimate of 18 million workers in the
country. He noted that, 15 million work in the informal sector while 3 million are
in the formal sector. He said there is need to have more workers in the informal
sector transition to the formal sector.
To ensure sustainable economic development and employee wellbeing, Mr.
Chelugui pointed out that, the economic growth should generate decent work that
deliver fair income, workplace security and social protection.
Mr. Chelugui pledged support of the Ministry, saying the government will work
closely with the social partners to protect and promote the rights and welfare of
workers, employers and their investments to create wealth and job opportunities.