Civil Servants’ Reprieve As Labour CS Florence Bore Defends Retirement Age Limit

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  • Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore opposed MPs proposal to reduce public service retirement age to 55
  • The UDA MP, secretly, resurfaced a bill which was in 12th Parliament, but was rejected on the floor in the third reading
  • According to CS, responsible to advise Government on matters workforce, stated, the debate should be increasing retirement age to 65

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has stamped it’s authority, in opposing the private member’s bill, seeking to reduce public service retirement age to 55

The bill, which is sponsored by Embakasi Central Member of Parliament Benjamin Mwangi, was committed to the National Assembly’s committee on Labour for input and deliberations 

In a letter dated 14th August, and signed by Cabinet Secretary for Labour Florence Bore, addressing clerk of the National Assembly, Mr Samuel Njoroge, the Ministry dismissed Mwangi’s bill 

The lawmakers sought Public Service Commission Amendment Bill 2023, pegged at reducing public service retirement age to 55, with a reason to pave way for growing number of graduates in the country 

But, Bore’s legal team burnt the midnight oil, having done through research on impeding repercussions, answered parliament, that reducing age limit would not address the issue of joblessness in the country 

“The United Nations has raised the retirement age for staffers to 65 years old. The policy approved by the General Assembly, has already taken effect for employees.

“Any attempt to lower the bar to 55, would affect the right to legitimate expectation which is a principle of administration law derived from common law,” Part of the legal paperwork advised the parliament 

The CS, cited examples in Europe where retirement age is 65 years and now being lobbied to 70 years due to lack of skilled workers and the haemorrhage of pensioners 

“Whereas East Africa Community [EAC] member countries are struggling to finance their monthly wage bill for the working class, developed economies are convincing civil servants to extend their retirement age to 70 years in order for their government to make savings in pension schemes and to harness the immense benefits of their selfless wealth of experience,” It stated 

In EAC, only Rwanda has caped retirement age limit to 65 years for civil servants, other member states have codified it at 60 years 

However, according to research gate and recent Kenya National Bureau of Statistics survey on demography, Kenyan unemployment rate has not been contributed to retirement age limit, but other factors including unskilled manpower and rise of population vis-à-vis job market 

“It’s worth noting that retirement age policies and their associated challenges can vary across different African countries due to cultural, economic and legal factors. These challenges highlight the need for flexible retirement policies, increased financial preparation for retirement, and measures to address age discrimination and promote intergenerational cooperation and collaboration in the workforce,”  Ms Bore advised standing committee on Labour and Social Protection in parliament 

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