Employment
The government through the Ajira digital programme in collaboration with other stakeholders has launched a policy guide that will introduce new strategies to expand access to digital resources and foster sustainable growth in the digital economy.
Speaking during the launch held in Nairobi, Secretary ICT, E-Government and Digital Economy Mary Kerema stated that the policy will ensure that the worker’s rights are protected as it provides a framework that promotes job security.
“The guide will lay a foundation where we will establish policies and guidelines that would ensure fair compensation and timely payments for workers while ensuring that they are not exploited,” she added. Kerema added that the policy developed in collaboration with eMobilis, Africa Practice and MasterCard Foundation will enhance worker protection where it will provide workers with access to basic labour rights, health insurance and retirement savings.
“This policy guideline seeks to integrate these protections into the economy in a way that is both practical and sustainable,” she emphasized. The Secretary noted that the guidelines encourage training and upskilling where the policy will provide workers with opportunities to access training and gain qualifications to enable them to rise in the digital economy.
She further said that the policy will foster innovation and entrepreneurship and that the Ministry will continue to develop platforms that empower freelance workers and small businesses. “Through these documented guidelines, we want to explore these opportunities to promote inclusive growth,” mentioned the Secretary.
Dr Wanjiru Kariuki, representing the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, said that the labor and skills development department is at the forefront of implementing policies, programs, and interventions that support demand-driven education and training so that young people can access the market.
She encouraged the informal sector to improve the quality of its jobs so that they qualify as decent organizations with contracts and pay their people according to work guidelines. Dr Kariuki highlighted that the government is developing policies such as the National Policy of Decent Education which aims to ensure that Kenyans can migrate outside the country to go to work safely and regularly.
“We also have the Skills Development Policy, the National Policy on Linking Industry to Education and Research, the National Work-Based Learning Policy and the National Business Outsourcing policy to address the youth unemployment challenge,” she added.
She disclosed that eMobilis has been working with the State Department of Labour in carrying out one of the programmes in online employment and there have been successful rates where youths enter the big economy immediately after the programme.
The newly launched policy guideline is the culmination of extensive research and engagement with key stakeholders in the gig and digital economy. It offers a detailed policy proposal to address the pressing challenges faced by digitally delivering gig workers and promote sectors’ growth and development.