Relief for Kenyan Domestic Workers as Gov't Hikes their Salaries

Kenyans domestic workers can now put a smile on their faces following the government's latest decision to hike their salaries.

In a Gazette Notice dated December 19th, Labour Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani has ordered employers in major urban centers to pay house helps and other domestic workers a minimum salary of 13,572 per month.

This will apply to domestic workers employed in urban areas such as Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.

Employers living in all former municipalities and town councils are now required to pay their workers a minimum monthly salary of Sh12,522 or about Sh600 daily.

Domestic workers in other areas other than major urban areas, former municipalities and town councils will pocket Sh 7,240 monthly or Sb367 per day.

Currently, most domestic workers in Kenya are underpaid, with a majority of them taking home between Sh5,000 and Sh10,000 per month.

Workers affected by the pay rise include cleaners, sweepers, gardeners, babysitters, house servants, day watchmen, and messengers.

CS Yattani says the new order is inclusive of housing allowance and employers will also be required to make monthly contributions of Sh200 and Sh400 to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) for their employees.

Regulations guiding minimum pay for domestic workers were passed in 2011 to align the country with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) requirements.