The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) has welcomed President William Ruto’s decision to cancel the deal between the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Adani Group.
In a statement dated November 22, 2024, COTU-K Secretary General, Francis Atwoli described the move as bold and timely, adding that the proclamation has restored the confidence of the aviation workers.
“The Central Organization of Trade Unions Kenya COTU (K), wishes to thank His Excellency President Dr. William S. Ruto for the bold, timely and unequivocal action following the cancellation of the Adani contracts.
“This Presidential proclamation, issued yesterday during the second State of Nation Address in Parliament has restored the confidence of workers across all sectors but mostly those represented by the Kenya Aviation Workers Union (KAWU) under the Kenya Airports Authority,” he stated.
In addition, Atwoli noted that KAWU members had expressed fears over the contract terms especially the Adani group taking over the operations of JKIA for over 30 years.
He further said that with the cancellation of Adani deals, Kenyan workers have asked for proper consultation with state agencies before any strategic reforms.
“Indeed, and as previously expressed by COTU (K) both in Public and Private, the workers represented by KAWU had expressed fears over numerous unfair contract terms, inter alia, Indians taking over the operations of the JKIA for over 30 years, With the cancellation of Adani, the Kenyan workers wish to remind all agencies of the State and Government that proper consultation with workers is a must prior to any strategic reforms,” he said.
Commending Ruto’s boldness, the COTU-K boss stated that the move is the clearest indication yet that the success of the Kenya Kwanza government will be rooting out any suspicious deals and the successful prosecution of corruption cases.
He further assured COTU-K’s support in promoting the ideals of social dialogue among the tripartite partners aiming to achieve inclusive economic growth even as the trade union takes an active part in the building of the country for the benefit of Kenyan workers.
“Further, this bold move by the President is the clearest indication yet that the success of the Kenya Kwanza Government will be rooting out any suspicious deals and the successful prosecution of corruption cases,”
“As COTU (K) we shall continue calling promoting the ideals of social dialogue among the tripartite partners so as to achieve inclusive economic growth even as we take an active part in the building of our beautiful country for the benefit of Kenyan,” he added
— Francis Atwoli NOM (DZA), CBS, EBS, MBS. (@AtwoliDza) November 22, 2024
