Primary school teachers are on the receiving end after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) failed to wire to their accounts their October salaries ahead of their invigilation assignments.
Majority of primary school teachers will take their role today in various exam centres as Centre Managers, Invigilators and Supervisors.
The teachers had anticipated early payment of their October salaries to facilitate them during this exam period.
Though TSC was ready to pay the salaries and had cleared with third party deductions like loans, insurance premiums, NSSF and union dues, this did not happen after a statement released by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The authority statement which was addressed to all employers called for adjustments in the health insurance fund which take effect this October.
The salary delay means teachers will have to brave themselves for the few days of exam administration where a total of 1.2 million candidates will be sitting for their final assessments-KPSEA.
Below is a statement released by the Social Health Authority that made the TSC payroll to be recalled for adjustments that will see teachers pay more in SHIF than under NHIF.
NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYERS
CLARIFICATION ON STATUTORY DEDUCTIONS ON THE GROSS SALARY UNDER THE SOCIAL HEALTH INSURANCE ACT, 2023 AND REGULATIONS 2024
Reference is made to frequently asked questions affecting statutory deductions on the gross salary/wage among other concerns.
a) Gazettement of the SHA Regulations
The Social Health Insurance Act Regulations were gazetted on 8th March 2024 vide Legal Notice No. 49
b) Gross salary or wage
According to Section 17 (1) of the SHI Regulations, a household whose income is derived from salaried employment shall pay a monthly statutory deduction contribution to the Social Health Insurance Fund at a rate of 2.75% of the gross salary or wage of the household by the ninth day of each month.
Gross salary or wage for a household whose income is derived from salaried employment includes basic salary and allowances paid to an employee on a regular (monthly) basis as a salary or a wage.
c) Tax relief
Our view is that Contributors to the SHIF should qualify for insurance relief but advise that you get in touch with KRA for concurrence on this.
d) Employer matching contribution
Under the SHI Act, Employers are not required to match the contributions of their employees.