By: Our Reporter
Worth Noting:
- The country is straining, with majority of Kenyans surviving to make ends meet. It is a global phenomenon.
- The expectation of workers during the past Labour Day celebration was for the President H.E Dr. William Ruto to declare a general wages increase. This did not occur.
- I remind my fellow brothers and sisters in the Public sector Unions, we all listened to the President’s elaborate speech during Labour Day and His subsequent talk at KICC – Tsavo room during the luncheon, where He advocated for remunerations that commensurate to the cost of living. The President means well for country, added Andabwa
The Kenya National Private Security Workers’ Union General Secretary Bro. Isaac GM Andabwa (OGW) has lashed out to the public sector Unions for their doublespeak.
The tripartite spirit of labour or trade movement is dialogue between the Government, Federation of Kenya Employees (FKE) and workers through COTU (K) on emerging issues affecting workers be it of whatever magnitude.
It is in record the COTU ( K) Secretary General Bro. Dr. Francis Atwoli, did invite leaders of all trade Unions and the President of Kenya for a round table discussion on matters affecting workers including the 3% housing levy, majority of the representatives from the public Union sectors skipped the meeting and are now in the forefront complaining and misinforming the general public, said Andabwa.
The country is straining, with majority of Kenyans surviving to make ends meet. It is a global phenomenon.
The expectation of workers during the past Labour Day celebration was for the President H.E Dr. William Ruto to declare a general wages increase. This did not occur.
I remind my fellow brothers and sisters in the Public sector Unions, we all listened to the President’s elaborate speech during Labour Day and His subsequent talk at KICC – Tsavo room during the luncheon, where He advocated for remunerations that commensurate to the cost of living. The President means well for country, added Andabwa
For instance, it was well explained that the 3% housing levy is not tax and that it is a great initiative towards building low-cost homes for Kenyan workers.
Notably too, the 2010 Constitution of Kenya under article 43(3)gives a right to every Kenyan to accessible, adequate housing and standards of sanitation.
Andawa lauded the sentiments of Dr. Francis Atwoli in supporting the 3% deduction, saying, the Government had invested 5 billion into the housing fund and made it clear that those who contribute to the kitty and later wish to withdraw their contributions will have access to their savings with interest.
Let us give the president space and time to turn around the economy but with an open front and approach towards the social dialogue with Unions, said Andabwa.
There is an uproar over the 2023 finance Bill, with various stakeholders poking holes on pending increase on taxes. Public servants are infact better placed in terms of salaries and other emoluments than the private security officers yet, we are not complaining, paused Andabwa.
The public sector Unions going to media to denounce the Bill, yet the President called for an open door policy in addressing sectoral challenges is being dishonesty and disrespectful to the President and to Bro. Dr. Francis Atwoli.
Why give demands to the Government to speed up negotiations and implementation of all pending Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA’s) while on the other hand criticise the same regime that is encouraging social dialogue.
Time is ripe and ready for public sector Unions to boldly make a stand on whether they are in COTU(K) or labour centre or in the opposition. You cannot be dinning on the same table while pulling different strings, Andabwa lamented.
Bro. Isaac GM Andabwa (OGW)
National General Secretary – KNPSWU
Executive Board Member – COTU (K)
Steering Committee Member – UNI PROPERTY SERVICES UNI GLOBAL UNION
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