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{
    "id": 1245360,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1245360/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 74,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13217,
        "legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
        "slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
    },
    "content": "This is a straightforward Bill. I thank the many Senators and the Committee that gave invaluable advice and report on this Employment (Amendment) Bill 2022. I want to thank Sen. Okiya Omtatah who seconded the Bill, among other Senators. In conclusion, this Bill has generated a lot of misinformation and miscommunication. The right to disconnect will be guided by the law. Many people such as the Federation of Kenya Employers and Central Organisation of Trade Union, among others, have raised concern about this Bill. Mr. Speaker, Sir, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to learn a lot of remote working using Skype, Cisco and other applications, including Teams in our Judiciary where we were working from home and virtually. Therefore, this Bill is informed by what we experienced during COVID-19, where even the Senate was working virtually. We were having hybrid meetings. The right to disconnect is not the right kupiga sherehe as many young people would imagine; that you are not supposed to be called by your employers on Fridays or beyond working hours. What I am just saying is that this Bill - the right to disconnect - has been implemented in most countries. If this law is assented to by the President, Kenya will be one of the countries in Africa to proceed with the right to disconnect. It is a very important that we encourage and ensure that this Bill is applied in the working environment, but we should not abuse it. I have indicated that some employers are mischievous, where they send emails beyond 4.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. and demand that that work should be ready by 8.00 p.m., not knowing that all of us; both men and women, have other obligations between 6.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. in the morning. That right should be respected. The right to privacy and right to family time; where people have quality time to spend with family should be respected. Family is a social basic unit. You saw the old man with the hat, the great President of the Republic of Uganda, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni; we wish him well as he recovers. He addressed the nation and said that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He signed the anti-gay law in Uganda. Therefore, we need to lead in Kenya and encourage remote working. The reason President Museveni signed that into law is to protect the family unit. We must protect the family unit because it is basic. Mr. Speaker, Sir, you can imagine when you are in your house with your spouse, you are expecting to be prepared for Chicken soup--- A neighbour, people who love chicken, especially free range not the broiler. I know there are people who eat other things in this town in the name of broiler or kienyeji chicken. When you are somewhere and your stew is being prepared by your spouse, then you see your employer sending emails and messages of work; it even distracts you from doing what the Lord ordained us to do. This is because some employers even send messages at midnight when we should be proceeding with other serious matters of procreation, as ordained by the Holy Book. Mr. Speaker, Sir, number three is that this Bill gives right to engage at an opportune time. Colleagues, Members, friends, leaders and even our visitors, what I am just transferring is to create a structured engagement. If you work virtually now, no one"
}