Public Service Commission Chairperson Amb. Anthony Muchiri has called upon the Departmental Committee on Labour to reconsider some of the clauses in the proposed Employment (Amendment) Bill 2022. Amb. Muchiri said this while presenting the Commission's views on the proposed employment bill before the Parliament’s labour committee at the Boma Hotel on 17th October 2023.
“We need to be very careful when making labour laws that could negatively affect our job market and, specifically, young people who are already suffering from high levels of unemployment,” said Amb. Anthony Muchiri.
He further noted that some of the clauses in the proposed bill were retrogressive and did not put into account the changing work environment. Equally, he noted that some of the issues the proposed bill wants to solve have already been included in a Government policy proposed to allow flexible work environments or arrangements such as virtual and homework stations.
“As an employer, we would support proposed amendments that would address the future of work, progressive labour practices and enable the country to provide a competitive edge that can compare with global trends,” added Amb. Muchiri.
The Departmental Committee on Labour Chairperson, Hon. Muchangi Karemba who was presiding over the session, reaffirmed that the committee will consider all views presented before it.
The Parliament’s departmental committee on labour also received views from the State Department of labour and Law Society of Kenya. After receiving the views from all stakeholders, the committee will retreat to make final recommendations to the National Assembly for adoption.
Also present were PSC’s Commissioners; Dr. Joyce Nyabuti and Ms. Joan Otieno and members of the Commission Secretariat. Principal Secretary State Department of Labour Mr. Shadrack Mwadime, Departmental Committee on Labour Vice Chairperson, Hon. Fabian Muli and other committee members.