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{
    "id": 1477489,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1477489/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 174,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mbugua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 899,
        "legal_name": "Mary Njoki G Mbugua",
        "slug": "mary-njoki-g-mbugua"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Madam Temporary Speaker. I rise pursuant to Standing Order No.56(1)(b) of the Senate Standing Orders to make a statement relating to the activities of the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare for the period between April to August, 2024. During the period under review, the committee held a total of 41 sittings during which it considered four legislative proposals, 48 statements, four Bills and two petitions and followed up on one Senate resolution. The committee undertook one County Oversight and Networking Engagement on the welfare of workers in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Mombasa and Kilifi counties. The committee also held a stakeholder engagement with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports on various issues under its mandate. Attached to this statement is a schedule of business considered by the committee. On statements, in the reporting period, 27 statements were ongoing from the previous reporting period and 16 statements were sought from the committee. The committee considered and concluded 10 of them and is currently considering the remaining ones. The committee conducted an inquiry on the statement by Sen. Faki on the welfare of workers in the EPZs in Mombasa and Kilifi counties and will table a report in the House this week. While conducting the inquiry, the committee held a meeting with the Principal Secretary, Investments Promotion and the EPZ Authority and also visited selected EPZs in Mombasa and Kilifi counties. The committee will follow up on the recommendations, which include the establishment of an EPZ Wages Council, in line with Section 43 of the Labour Institutions Act, Cap.234, to take care of this special category of workers and the review and publication of a wage order that is specific to EPZs workers. The committee considered the statement by Sen. Crystal Asige on the registration of teachers by the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET), where the committee found out that visually impaired teachers had been enlisted as Members of the KUSNET without their consent. KUSNET was deducting agency fees from the visually impaired teachers forcefully, claiming that the teachers had benefitted from KUSNET’s CBA with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). KUSNET was not able to show which benefit had been accorded to the teachers as a result of the negotiations. Therefore, the committee resolved to sponsor the amendment to Section 49 of the Labour Relations Act on the agency fee. The committee will meet with the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection on the consideration of the revocation of the gazette notice that gave powers to KUSNET and Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) to deduct agency fees as it has been subject to abuse. For the remainder of the session, the committee will focus on the following thematic areas under its mandate – The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only.A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and Audio Services,Senate."
}