The introduction of a maternity cash benefit in Kenya
English
ILO
The International Labour Organization is the tripartite U.N. agency that promotes Decent Work through employment, social security, labour standards and social dialogue. Its work on skills development is guided by the conceptual framework on Skills to improve productivity, employment growth, and development agreed in 2008 by representatives of Governments, Employers’ Associations and Workers’ Associations. Research, policy advice, and pilot projects and technical cooperation programmes to apply good practices in different circumstances across its 185 member States aims to boost the employability of workers, the productivity and competitiveness of enterprises, and the inclusiveness of economic growth. The ILO Secretariat in offices in 40 countries works with Ministries of Labour, employers’ organizations, and trade unions to integrate skills development into national and sector development strategies in order to better meet current labour market needs and to prepare for the jobs of the future; to expand access to employment-related training so that youth, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups are better able to acquire skills and secure productive and decent work; and to improve the ability of public employment services to provide career guidance, maintain labour exchange services, and deliver active labour market programmes.For more information regarding the ILO’s work on skills and employability go to: http://www.ilo.org/skills/lang--en/index.htm; for ILO/Cinterfor's Knowledge Management Plarform, see: http://www.oitcinterfor.org
Other topic
National policies and initiatives
National legislation, policies and initiatives on the issue of training and skills development and the world of work.
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The NHIF engaged the ILO to provide financial and technical support towards a feasibility study on the design and cost of introducing a Maternity Cash Benefit in Kenya.
The report assesses the current workforce structure, the demographic trends, the social health insurance schemes under the National Health Insurance Fund and the current laws and provisions on maternity benefits in Kenya. Based on this analysis, the report considers two alternative policy scenarios for extending maternity income protection to all women in Kenya. The first scenario relies on the current schemes operated by NHIF to extend maternity income protection to all women. In contrast, the second scenario envisions the introduction of a universal cash benefit for all women currently uncovered. The report further provides a detailed costing to evaluate the financing requirements for introducing a maternity cash benefit for all women in Kenya under the two scenarios.
