MP Didmus Barasa proposes bill to help young job-seekers easily clinch employment opportunities

Kimilili MP Didimus Barasa has proposed to make it mandatory for all private and public institutions that have over 50 employees to absorb interns.

The National Assembly has set into motion plans to compel employers to offer paid internships to persons who have attained a diploma or higher qualification.

This will relate to those who have attained diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate levels of qualifications.

As reported by The Standard, the bill has been submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi and awaits formal introduction on the floor of the house.

In the bill, Barasa seeks to amend section 76 of the Employment Act (2007) and wants employers to pay minimum wage to all the interns they take in.

“An employer who employs more than fifty employees shall offer an internship to applicants who have attained a diploma, undergraduate or post-graduate qualifications.

“The employer must ensure the number of applicants offered internship is equivalent to 5 percent of the total employers’ workforce,” reads part of the bill.

The employer must maintain the interns throughout the year.

The Kimilili legislator also wants employers to file annual internship compliance returns with the Director of Employment to ensure the employers do not breach the new legislation if it is passed into law.

Speaking to The Standard, the MP stated that thousands of young people are unable to secure employment because they do not have the required experience, despite having graduated and holding several certificates.

“This Bill, if passed into law, will see many young job-seekers easily clinch employment opportunities since they will have met the requirement of having work experience,” explained the legislator

The bill requires a two-thirds majority to sail through the house.


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