Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-01 06:15:00
Teachers have expressed their dissatisfaction over the deductions made to their January salaries in relation to the Housing Levy Fund. They have labeled these deductions illegal and in violation of a Court of Appeal order that had suspended the tax. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has demanded a refund of the deducted amounts and has even threatened to sue the Teachers Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia and other officials in their personal capacities for contempt of court.
With over 360,000 teachers as members, they form the largest group of workers in the country contributing to the contentious levy. Membership to the union is shared between Kuppet, the Kenya National Union of Teachers, and the Kenya Union of Special Education Teachers.
The government’s decision to deduct 1.5% monthly from salaried workers was previously deemed discriminatory by the High Court. Although the court temporarily allowed the government to continue collecting the levy, it was stated that the government had received the court orders in good time for it not to charge teachers. Kuppet has expressed horror at the flagrant violation of court orders by the Teachers Service Commission and has demanded the immediate release of the illegally deducted taxes to teachers.
In addition to demanding the refund of the Housing Levy, Kuppet has also expressed its intentions to take measures to protect its members’ salaries and benefits, including instituting contempt proceedings against TSC officials in their personal capacities.
The National Trade Union Congress, Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentist Union, University Academic Staff Union, and Union of Civil Servants have also joined in the demand for the government to refund the Housing Levy to their members.
Furthermore, the Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU) has urged President William Ruto to prioritize the review of the salaries of county workers before deducting the affordable housing levy from them. The union has highlighted that county workers’ salaries have not been reviewed since devolution began in 2013 and the introduction of new taxation without consideration for this constitutional requirement further exacerbates their financial burden.
Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku has issued a warning to contractors who have abandoned sites of the affordable housing projects after the Court’s decision, threatening that their contracts would be terminated. Additionally, he urged the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to recall the House from recess to pass the Affordable Housing Bill.
In conclusion, the dissatisfaction among teachers and government workers in Kenya over the Housing Levy Fund deductions highlights a pressing need for a review of the current tax policies and the protection of workers’ rights and benefits. The demands made by various labor unions and government workers’ unions emphasize the necessity for the government to address their concerns and ensure that the financial well-being of workers is not jeopardized.
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