Cotu disputes claims of bad blood with the government

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions Kenya, (Cotu-K) has disputed claims of an adversarial relationship with the government, terming such statements as misleading.

This follows a statement attributed to the general secretary of the Dock Workers Union, Simon Sang, who allegedly said there have been conflicts between the union and the State.

Cotu deputy secretary general Benson Okwaro said the union has always worked well with the government of the day, with previous governments supporting them in advancing workers’ rights and welfare.

“The relationship between the government and trade unions is not only clearly explained within the Kenyan laws, as in Article (41) of the Constitution and the five sets of labour laws, but also firmly anchored within the eight fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation  (ILO) that protect and promote tripartite relations,” said Okwaro.

According to him, their good relationship has seen all Kenyan presidents attend Labour Day celebrations.

“Much more recently, during this year’s Labour Day fete, outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta, after talks with the leadership of Cotu-K, adjusted the minimum wage by a 12 per cent rise, thanks to good, tripartite working relationship between the government, employers and trade unions,” he said.