KUPPET Pushes For Refund of Housing Levy Deducted From Teachers.
The housing charge that was subtracted from teachers’ wages in January is something that the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) is fighting for reimbursement of.
Akelo Misori, the secretary general of KUPPET, emphasized on Wednesday that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) cannot use the argument that the deductions were already included in the payroll that was created to support the deductions.
Misori noted that small payroll errors have already resulted in delays in teachers’ compensation; therefore, the current scenario, which involves a substantial matter with a court order, requires the recall of any payroll that has already been completed.
Many teachers around the country have shared paystubs showing the Commission deducted the housing levy from their January 2024 salary, Misori pointed out, despite explicit orders from the High Court and the Court of Appeal declaring the fee unlawful and unconstitutional.
Additionally, we have asked the Commission for a guarantee that it will follow future judicial orders. KUPPET SG said, “Including and particularly the orders on the Housing Levy.”
Misori said that KUPPET is ready to take legal action, including contempt cases against TSC officials individually, and urged the government to take the required steps to protect teachers’ pay and benefits.
Misori further underlined that law-abiding employers ought to abstain from taking unauthorized deductions.
He stated that the Finance Bill 2023, which caused controversy among Kenyans, was never supported by the union.
