Central Organisation of Trade Union (Cotu) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has dismissed those organising a parallel Labour Day celebration next week, saying they are opportunists trying to capitalise on hisunion'sachievements.
Mr Atwoli has instead urged all workers to turn out in large numbers to the Labour Day event at Uhuru Gardens inLang'ataNairobi, wherea numberof their issues will be addressed.
Iam asking Kenyans to ignore all those on social media asking workers to join them in a different function on May 1. I am telling you those opposing Cotu do not understand the structures of trade unions since they do not have people to negotiate on behalf of their workers,said Mr Atowli.
Atwoli convenes crisis meeting over Labour day Dead: Sad tale of Kenyas trade unionsSpeaking duringa Shop Stewards meeting in Nairobi on Saturday, the Cotu boss said he had professional shop stewards across the country who can negotiate Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA).
Cotu has structuresandall our shop stewardsare trainedto deal withworkersplights, wedo not pick anyone from the roadside to represent workers as we are seeing in other groups,he said.
He added,It is Cotu which worked to ensurethe Labour Lawswhicharecategorisedinto fivegroupsare implementedin the country.Those saying Atwoli is ignoring the plight of workers are misinformed.
His sentiments come a few days after a little-known Trade Unions Congress of Kenya (TUCO) announced it would hold its celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) Grounds on May 1 to counter the traditional ones hosted by the Cotu with both unions inviting President William Ruto to grace the events.
But Mr Atwoli assured Kenyans that President Ruto will attend the event wherea number ofworkersissues will be addressed.
Ido not doubt him (President) that he will not attend our event since he has been maintaining his word since he was elected,said Mr Atwoli.
He added,In the event,we shall tell off those dragging President Ruto in his bid to deal with theworkers'union.We shall inform him to choose to work with those who are competent rather than those who drag him.
On the ongoingdoctorsstrike, Mr Atwoli affirmed his supportsayinghe was the first to write to the government to addressdoctorsissues.
Cotu is in support of the doctorsandwhatever they are protesting on the streets are the fruits of the union since if we did not implement some labour lawstheycould be in jailandwe are in constant communication with the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KPMDU). As talks continue, we urged the government to consider increasing the cost of living and implement the CBA,saidCotuboss.
At the same time, Cotu urged the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to work within their mandate rather than settingsalaries of workers.
We ask the SRC to stick to their mandate by advising the government not to implement issues ofworkerssalaries. We shall soon sit with the commissionbutif talks fail, we shall move the issue to the international labour organisations,he said.
[emailprotected]
Makueni drowning deaths climb to nine Officials say 10 people are reported missing including two children. Over 70 killed, thousands displaced in floods havoc Cumulatively, 24,000 households and 131,179 people have been affected by the flooding menace.
