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{
    "id": 1254230,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1254230/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 181,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Economic Planning",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Regarding amendments to the Employment Act, to provide funds for the development of affordable housing and associated social and physical infrastructure, as well as the provision of affordable home financing strategy, I propose to the National Assembly to introduce an affordable housing levy through an amendment of the Employment Act 2007 to provide a mandatory levy payable by the employer and the employee at 1.5 per cent per month for an employee's gross monthly salary. Given that the construction industry is labour intensive, we expect every housing unit constructed will create new jobs, both direct and indirect, among the professionals, youth, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in general along the production value chain of affordable housing. To support enterprises and businesses operating in this special economic zone, Hon. Speaker, through Government support, the special economic zone and Export Processing Zone (EPZ) continue to position our manufacturing sector as pacesetters in the region through exports and manufactured goods. Presently, the goods sold from those zones to the domestic market are subjected to Import Duty and other applicable taxes similar to goods imported from outside the East African Community (EAC) region. That taxation does not differentiate whether the inputs or raw materials used to produce such goods originate from the customs territory or outside the customs territory. To enhance market access, I propose to the National Assembly to amend the Export Processing Zone Act and the Special Economic Zone Act to exempt from Import Duty goods produced from the Special Economic Zone and EPZ that use inputs or raw materials originating from the customs territory when sold into the domestic market. This will encourage enterprises operating in the zones to purchase raw materials or even inputs from the domestic market."
}