Lecturers Oppose Ruto’s Mandatory Salary Deductions
Union leaders, including lecturers, in Kenya have opposed President William Ruto’s proposal to have all civil servants contribute three per cent of their pay to the Housing Fund. The Kenya Universities Staff Union Charles Mukhwaya criticised the move, stating that the unions had not been consulted.
Mukhwaya demanded that Ruto abandon the plan and urged the government to increase workers’ emoluments instead of imposing a housing levy. The Universities Academic Staff Union Secretary General Constantine Wasonga also criticised the government for imposing cuts and ignoring lecturers.
Wasonga argued that the lecturers would not make any remittances to the fund unless they enjoyed the perks of other civil servants. The union leaders maintained that the pockets of most civil servants were already sufficiently squeezed by the state.
“We condemn the manner in which the government is proposing to impose a housing levy without any commensurate increment in workers’ emoluments.” He stated.
Ruto announced the mandatory deductions and stated that employers would match their contributions. However, he did not specify when the new deductions would take effect. Ruto explained that the move aimed to create a sustainable fund that would enable more Kenyans to become homeowners.
The union leaders argued that the government’s proposal was insensitive to the plight of workers in public service. They called on the government to consult them before implementing any policy that affects civil servants.
The union leaders also demanded that the government increase workers’ salaries instead of imposing a housing levy. They maintained that the lecturers would only contribute to the fund if they enjoyed the same perks as other civil servants.
Lecturers Oppose Ruto’s Mandatory Salary Deductions
