Govt intolerant towards trade unions COTU tells ILO

The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) has accused the government of intolerance towards trade unions.

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who is currently attending the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) at the sidelines of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Governing Body Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, briefed world leaders on the persistent attacks and impunity by the Kenya government against the trade union movement particularly within the teaching fraternity.

He pointed out how the teaching fraternity has and continues to agonize over a case they won at the Labour and Employment Relations Court of a 50 – 60% pay rise.

“The Kenyan government blatantly said it will not pay and never will it honor the Court award nor enter into any negotiations with the teachers’ Unions, where one of them, Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), is a COTU affiliate,” he said.

Atwoli further informed the members how the wanting situation prompted teachers to go on a five-week strike and in the process the government forced the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to appeal against the pay rise award.

The Secretary General also emphasized and informed the world leaders on the urgent need for the ITUC – Brussels to intervene since the government has continued to renege from the principles of tri-partyism since independence.

COTU now wants ILO to arbitrate in the Kenyan case to ensure teachers get their pay rise as awarded by the Labour Court.

At the same time, this is the first time since independence that the Kenyan Minister for Labour failed to represent the government at the ILO meeting in Geneva, as well as at this year’s African Union Labour and Social Affairs Commission meeting in Addis Ababa and in various regional meetings where the country’s Minister in charge of Labour has been consistent in not attending.

“Such mannerism portrays a gloomy picture on the International Labour and Industrial Relations Practice since the Minister for Labour was expected to address the ongoing ILO Governing Body meeting in Geneva and the information available indicates that she declined to represent the country, a move that puts Kenya to the list of the African failed States,” said Atwoli.

The secretary general is this week expected to meet the ILO Director General for a briefing and the main item of agenda is the teachers’ strike in Kenya.

On Friday, the Court of Appeal ruled as unconstitutional the 50 -60% pay rise awarded to teachers by a lower court.