Mr Odege said the government has overburdened workers with tax and threatened to lead workers to down tools in 2024.
The Union Secretary General, who is also Nyatike MP, argued that public servants have nowhere to hide since their salary is paid by the government, which deducts the taxes at will.
He noted that more than 70,000 civil servants at the national and county governments have up to 60 per cent of their salary taxed by the government.
“Those working for the government and members need to roll up their sleeves and push the government. The only way is to organise a strike,” Odege said.
In August last year, the Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC) chairperson Lyn Mengich, announced a seven per cent to 10 per cent increase in civil servants’ salaries.
However, Odege, downplayed the pay increase saying workers were losing up to 60 per cent of their income after the introduction of the housing levy, new PAYE rate, NSSF and NHIF deductions.
The union secretary general said the pay increase was not being felt due to increased taxation on worker’s salaries amidst the high cost of living.
“It is very clear that those working for the government and Kenya currently are not living but surviving because the 40 per cent they take home is not enough for them,” Odege said.
He said the pay increase translated to a double tax on workers’ salaries, hence depleting their pay slips more.
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