Kenya Fast-Tracks Labour Reforms to Safeguard Workers’ Rights and Spur Job Growth

Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development Shadrack Mwadime (right) emphasizes the government’s ongoing efforts to update labour laws in line with international standards to safeguard workers’ rights.

Kenya has stepped up efforts to align its labour laws with global standards, reaffirming its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and creating employment opportunities both locally and abroad.

Speaking at the 113th International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference in Geneva, Labour and Skills Development Principal Secretary Shadrack Mwadime highlighted the government’s push to domesticate ratified ILO conventions.

He cited recent amendments to the Employment Act, the Labour Institutions Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act as pivotal in promoting decent work.

Mwadime underscored the role of social dialogue, emphasizing that Kenya’s tripartite mechanisms comprising the National Labour Board, the Wages Council, and labour law reform committees have enhanced policy formulation, wage-setting, and dispute resolution.

“These frameworks have strengthened protection for Kenyan workers, including migrants, while boosting productivity,” said Mwadime, who was accompanied by Labour Commissioner Hellen Apiyo and COTU Secretary General Dr. Francis Atwoli.

He also announced major strides in digitizing and modernizing labour inspection systems, which have expanded coverage and improved compliance across both formal and informal sectors.

On job creation, the PS pointed to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and enhanced labour migration governance as key interventions. Noting that, bilateral labour agreements and improved pre-departure training are being used to address youth unemployment and skills mismatch.

Additionally, Mwadime revealed that Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme has created over 244,000 jobs in construction and related sectors, positioning real estate as a leading source of employment.

“With the ILO report theme ‘Jobs, Rights and Growth’ mirroring our national vision, job creation remains central to Kenya’s development,” Mwadime said.