GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT IN HUMAN RESOURCE ISSUES NOTES
*10.0 Introduction
The government of Kenya has been involved in human resource issues in
both the private sector and the public sector. For instance, the
development of the HRD Policy for Public Service of Kenya was
necessitated by the challenges that were faced in training and capacity
building processes in the Kenya Public Service since independence
Training was hitherto guided by administrative circulars, human resource
General letters and various guidelines issued to the Service from time
to time.
Human Resource Development Policy
The formulation of a comprehensive HRD Policy was therefore part of the
Government efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness in service
delivery. In the past Kenyan Public Service had paid scanty attention to
Performance Management. As part of the reform initiatives undertaken by
the Government, Performance Management has taken centre stage as a
priority area for the Government in its efforts to respond to the needs
of the Public in terms of service delivery.
Role of the Government in Human Resource Development
The government provides funding of training and capacity building
programmes in the Public Service. It also ensures optimal staffing
levels in the service, recruiting human resource on the basis of
knowledge, skills and experience, and providing the cases for succession
management. It emphasizes demand driven and cost effective training that
responds to service delivery requirements and seeks to facilitate career
growth in the Public Service.
Government Institutions Involved In Human Resource Issues
- Ministry of Labour
Functions of Ministry Of Labour In Human Resource Issues
- Promotion of harmonious industrial relations in the country.
- To ensure compliance with labour laws, international labour standards
and codes of practice - as well as review of labour standards and domestication of
international conventions and - recommendations
- Promotion of best practices of occupational safety and health in all
workplaces - To plan, development and promotion of effective utilization of human
resources - Judicial determination of trade disputes and registration of
Collective Bargaining Agreements - (CBAs)
- Facilitation of the development of micro and small enterprises.
- Provision of labour market information
- To ensure availability of skilled manpowerfor the industry
- Promotion of productivity improvement
- Provision of social security through National Social Security Fund
(NSSF) - Industrial Court of Kenya*
The Industrial Court of Kenya has been one of the country’s pillars for
maintenance of industrial peace. It was established under the Trade
Dispute Act, Cap. 234, (Repealed) and Laws of Kenya and implement the
following mandate:
- To hear and determine industrial disputes that are referred to it by
the Minister for Labour; - To register Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) between employers
and workers; - To promote the spirit of tripartism between Government, employers and
employees.
