Atwoli Proposes Change to How Taxes Are Calculated on Payslips

COTU boss Francis Atwoli has pushed for the use of basic salaries in the calculation of taxes to be paid by employed Kenyans.

Speaking during Labour Day Celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Atwoli expressed that the current system, which uses gross pay, was reducing workers' earnings significantly.

He explained that his proposal would offer reprieve to many Kenyans who often work extra to get extra pay at the workplace for overtime, among others.

"The taxes, such as the Housing Levy, should not be based on the gross salary but on the basic salary so that what people work extra for in the gross is not interfered with," he remarked.

"There are people who may have toiled very hard to work overtime, and they do not realise anything."

On the other hand, he also called on President William Ruto to relook at the Affordable Housing Program and remove the requirement for the payment of deposits.

According to the trade unionist, most Kenyans were struggling to make ends meet. As a result, he suggested that the workers be allowed to use their payslips to get an allocation of houses.

Under the housing project, Kenyans are required to pay a deposit for the houses and later on make monthly contributions towards purchasing the house.

Currently, Kenyans pay a 10 per cent deposit of the value of the house being purchased.