Gov't Set to Review Employment Laws Amidst COVID- induced Cuts & Unpaid Leaves
Kenyan government is now aiming at revising labor rules to help guide employers deal with salary reduction, unpaid leaves and remote working adjustments brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Leah Mukangai 
According to the Ministry of Labour, the present Employment, Labour Institutions and Labour Relations Acts governing employer-employee relationships do not address forced pay reduction, unpaid leave policies, or remote and hybrid work models.
"While the labour laws provide for what people should do, they did not anticipate this kind of situation,” stated the Labour Principal Secretary Peter Tum.
“There’s a need now to relook into the same laws to factor in the emergence of such challenges." added Peter Tum.
Labour Principal Secretary Peter Tum.PHOTO FILE
The three acts, all enacted in 2007 allow employers to to reduce workers' salaries during financial crises with the employee's consent, or when a person has been demoted.
Within three years, an employee who is unhappy with the cut can submit a complaint with the labor office or sue.
Although the Employment Act permits employees to take unpaid time off, it provides no guidance to employers on how to do so.
The review will specify the length of time during which the wage reduction are in place, as well as the circumstances for unpaid leave and pay decreases.
