You will recall the demand
for salaries by members of the National Assembly and the teachers strike. A common
trend of industrial actions and general instability in the labour sector has
been witnessed. Most recently was the strike by workers of the Nairobi County.
It is not a headache for
the national government only. Inevitably now, County governments must now
contend with the possibility of disgruntled employees. Contributing factors
include the ongoing transfer of functions between national to county
governments. These upheavals come amidst the respective government’s efforts to
re-align and harmonise its human resource.
These are just but a few
tremours witnessed in the labour industry. Perhaps the volcano is yet to erupt.
However before eruption begins, the government must seriously re-evaluate its
national labour policy guideline. It will be aimed at aligning the wage policy
with its overall vision of a prosperous Kenya.
From my reading of the
book “Business and Politics” A comparative approach, one question arose. Can
Kenya learn from the Labour government in Britain? In brief, the administration
of Margaret Thatcher adopted three policies in its relation with businesses.
First the government
withdrew from direct involvement in business. It allowed more free market
operations. Secondly, there was a change in the Labour laws that caused a shift
of power from trade unions to businesses. Lastly, the government made Britain
the least regulated and more market driven economy within Europe.
Thatcher also had an anti-european
stand. She did not want to see power and control wrestled from Britain. She
also reduced government responsibility for non-employment and increased
emphasis on monetary policy. Her successors, John Major (1990-1997) and Tony
Blair (1997 – 2007) continued advancing these policies, only that there was
introduction of minimum wage. Collectively, these policies are what I refer to
as Thatcherism.
Thatcher’s suggestions are
not entirely applicable to Kenya. However Kenya can learn a few lessons,
translated as solutions. To begin with, Kenya must allow more interaction of
the forces of demand and supply. The government must also re-align the power
balance between businesses and trade unions. It calls for re-evaluating all
labour laws, i.e Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, Labour Institutions Act
among others. Economic reasons must be the guide for making industrial
relations decisions rather than purely on social reasons.
The strength of trade
associations and peak organizations needs to be evaluated so that businesses
present a united position on economic issues affecting them. A fragmented
business organizational structure means that individual businesses represent
themselves in matters of governance.
These are some suggestions
both the national and county governments can implement. The desired end being a
just and prosperous nation for all Kenyans.
