Why NSSF is right in pushing for the inclusion of domestic workers

Domestic worker during this year’s Labour Day celebration in Nairobi. NSSF has been pushing for their registration in the retirement benefits scheme. FILE 

By Boniface Ngahu
 

 

Recently, NSSF — the universal pension provider in Kenya — pulled its weight by calling for registration of domestic workers as pension contributors. The fund leveraged the legal requirement that all workers be registered with the scheme.

There was confusion among domestic employers since most have been treating domestic employees as casual workers. But critically thinking, you will realise that indeed most domestic workers should be permanent and pensionable.

These are the people we entrust with our household chores while we are busy winning the bread for our households. They also take care of our valuables and the future generation.

If they decided to go on strike until their demands are met, there would be a national crisis. This would affect everyone, more than MPs increasing their salaries. And yet we have taken their plight for granted.

There should be some action by civil society to ensure that domestic workers are treated with more respect than they are currently getting.

I remember someone explaining that insurance is like the watchman whom you pay a small amount for taking care of your wealth and ensuring you sleep in peace. Domestic workers play similar role by taking care of the pains that would otherwise be unbearable given our lifestyles.

Also, domestic workers should be exposed to training in order to polish their functional skills. Every worker needs at least four days of training in a year. Skills such as cooking, housekeeping, etiquette and budgeting are important for proper operation of a household.

You should also follow the best practice in recruitment, retention and motivation, just like you would like to be treated by your employer.

Registering your workers and submitting pension contributions and social health insurance on their behalf would help make them more dignified and hence improve the status of your household.

My friend was recently appalled after his house help poured a half bottle of a 12- year- old whisky that was left on the dining table. According to the help, the bottle contained dirty water.

Her intentions were good, but misinformed. Some orientation and induction into the job would have helped stop the likelihood of such occurrences. Unfortunately, she was dismissed from employment and the search for a more sophisticated replacement is ongoing.

Mr Ngahu is the marketing director of SBO Research.