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Central Organisation of Trade Union (COTU-K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has implored on the government to raise the minimum wage by at least 22.5 per cent since Kenya’s economy has withstood the shocks emanating from the recent devaluation of the shilling against the dollar.

Atwoli said despite the high exchange rate witnessed early this year, the economy thrived since it is driven more by the informal sector rather than money coming from external revenue earners   

 “We want him to give us at least 22.5 per cent or whatever he has put in his pockets. Our economy is driven by informal economic activities, which have huge deposits in the banks. We don’t rely on money from outside but on jua kali sectors,” Atwoli said.

As such he appealed to the government to give the informal sector all the necessary support and to compel governors to build markets at the county level.

He called on the county bosses to caution jua kali sector from punitive taxation since they are a crucial component of economy growth in the country. 

The Secretary General he has signed more than 44 Collective Bargaining Agreements this year alone which are all meant to cushion workers from the effects of high cost of living.

In a bid to further address the welfare of workers, Atwoli revealed that Cotu has continued to engage employers to review their employees’ wages based on the performance of the economy.

“We don’t engage employers blindly, we also look at the cost of living, consumer price indices, inflation rate, in comparison with the national economic performance. When we demand, you cannot escape or run away because we will go to employment and labour relations industrial court with those facts. We are not fools, when we come to you we know that you have money and we shall have to share the profits,” Cotu boss said.

He criticized union officals who are opposed to his leadership for the labour movement saying that they are misleading the workers and lack an understanding of what is the mandate of a modern trade union.

 “Sometimes I hear people come up with suggestions that are irrelevant, unrespectable and not in tune with the dance is on the platform currently. Today’s trade unions have changed from agitation to specific dialogue.

“That’s why we are not busy with infighting because we are engaging the employers in boardrooms negotiating for good terms and conditions for our members,” he added.

In the wake of digital economy and ecommerce, Atwoli said his union now conducts research through it’s education and economy research department before we engage employers on employees matters.