Labour and Social Protection CS Alfred Mutua has warned employers who ignore the new wage directive effective November 1, 2024, which mandates a 6% minimum wage increase, as directed by President William Ruto on Labour Day. Legal action will be taken against non-compliant employers.
Speaking at the 2nd Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Conference on quality skills development and apprenticeship in Mombasa, Mutua emphasized that the adjustment aims to promote dignity and fairness for workers and will be strictly enforced.
The revised wage structure includes:
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Unskilled workers: Sh7,997/month
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Skilled domestic workers: Sh9,129/month
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General labourers in major cities: Up to Sh16,113.75/month
Themed “Transforming apprenticeship systems in the informal economy for youth employability in Africa,” the conference is expected to produce the Mombasa Declaration, a strategic blueprint for enhancing African workforce development.
Mutua urged African leaders to act swiftly to move labour from informal to formal economies using inclusive, rights-based approaches and strong social protection systems. He also highlighted the importance of implementing frameworks like ILO Recommendation No.208 to guide apprenticeship reform and economic transition.
