MoU
In a move aimed at enhancing labour standards and promoting the welfare of workers, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Labour and Social Protection Dr. Alfred Mutua has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States Department of Labour.
The agreement, signed at a formal ceremony at the CS’s office in Nairobi, underscores a shared commitment to improving labour and employment conditions, protecting workers’ rights, and fostering inclusive economic development in both nations.
The MoU outlines broad cooperation areas, including occupational safety, health standards, child labour and forced labour prevention, workers’ compensation systems, and social protection frameworks. Dr. Mutua highlighted Kenya’s readiness to learn best practices from the U.S., particularly in managing labour relations and safeguarding workplace health.
Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Labour and Social Protection Dr. Alfred Mutua (2nd L) together with his counterpart Thea Mei Lee, the U.S Deputy Undersecretary for the Bureau of International Labour Affairs during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing labour standards and promoting the welfare of workers in Nairobi on Monday October 28, 2024.
“Our intention with this agreement is to ensure that occupational health and safety become a top priority, creating a healthier, safer working environment for all Kenyan workers,” the CS emphasized. The MoU, he added, aligns with Kenya’s commitment to providing robust social protection for workers, enhancing productivity, and promoting decent work.
Among the key issues addressed in the MoU are systems to support workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance, which are crucial for sustainable economic development. Dr. Mutua also stressed on the Kenyan government’s focus on empowering workers, noting that ’empowered workers are productive workers’.
Meanwhile, the U.S delegation was led by Thea Mei Lee, Deputy Undersecretary for the Bureau of International Labour Affairs, who expressed the importance of workers’ rights as foundational to a functioning democracy. Thea Mei Lee commended Kenya’s proactive approach and emphasized the role of fair labour practices in supporting democratic values.
Both nations pledged to uphold internationally recognized labour rights and support each other’s goals toward equitable and sustainable labour standards. Also present at the signing was Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department of Labour, Shadrack Mwadime.