The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Kenya), COTU (K), has accused the Federation of Kenyan Employers (FKE) of spreading “selective, alarmist, and misleading narratives” around National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions, saying the claims undermine workers’ long-term retirement security.
In a statement, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli said FKE’s commentary on statutory contributions was deeply irresponsible and contradicted the law, which mandates full implementation of the NSSF Act, 2013.
“As representatives of employers, FKE has a statutory obligation to comply with the full implementation of the NSSF Act. This is not optional, negotiable, or subject to selective obedience,” Atwoli said.
“It is therefore deeply irresponsible for FKE to frame these statutory contributions as an attack on workers’ livelihoods, while deliberately ignoring the long-term retirement benefits that accrue to employees.”
COTU further accused FKE of positioning itself as a champion of workers while actively undermining their welfare.
Atwoli said employers should take pride in ensuring employees retire with dignity, security, and peace of mind after decades of service.
“We take serious exception to FKE presenting itself as a defender of workers, when in reality it undermines workers’ retirement security and social protection,” he said.
“The true joy of an employer must be to see employees retire with dignity.”
The trade union body also reminded FKE that issues related to wages, social security, and worker welfare are the remit of trade unions, and cautioned employers against engaging in what it described as fear-mongering.
“Unions exist for this very purpose, and they do it best. Recent sentiments by FKE, touching on NSSF deductions, neither represent workers nor demonstrate a broad or genuine understanding of workers’ lived realities,” Atwoli said.
COTU highlighted a historical pattern of opposition from FKE whenever the government, including the President, increases the minimum wage, accusing the employers’ group of slowing implementation and raising unnecessary objections.
“It is disingenuous for FKE to suddenly claim concern for workers while opposing policies designed to protect them in old age,” Atwoli said.
The union urged employers to engage constructively through established tripartite mechanisms, respect the law, and support full implementation of the NSSF Act.
COTU reiterated its commitment to advancing a pension system that ensures a dignified retirement for all workers, both in the formal and informal sectors.
“COTU remains fully committed to defending the full implementation of the NSSF Act, 2013 and to advancing a pension system that guarantees all workers a dignified retirement,” Atwoli said.
