Raise job output, Japanese experts advise Kenyans

By MARGARET KANINI

The Government is determined to raise labour productivity index from the current 2.2 to above 4.

Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi (right) said a high index would help Kenya attain middle-income status as stipulated in the Vision 2030 blueprint.

Kambi said the country should borrow a leaf from Asian tigers, who have embraced productivity as their central focus and consequently have achieved a productivity of above 5 percent, with Japan leading at 7.5, Malaysia 5.6 and in Africa, South Africa with 5.5.

“These countries have vibrant productivity improvement programmes that equip workers with skills that enhance output,” said Kambi in a speech read by PS Ismail Noor yesterday during a seminar on product improvement.

Ismail urged businesses to implement the Sh13,674 minimum wage as directed by the president last year. Representatives from Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) noted that for Kenya to achieve maximum productivity, there must be adequate awareness and training.

Japanese productivity experts added that increased productivity will create jobs for the locals, increase Kenya’s GDP and eventually improve the standards of living.

“Increased GDP is the main indicator of a country’s wealth and prosperity”, Takesh Fujita, from Japan Productivity Centre and a Jica expert told the meeting.