President William Ruto has revealed details of his meeting with Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) boss Francis Atwoli and other Trade Unionists at State House Nairobi.
After the meeting held on Tuesday, February 14, Ruto said his administration will continue partnering with the Unions to improve labor related issues in the country.
“Trade Unions are engines of change that drive policy making, thereby contributing to equality and inclusive socio-economic development in society. We will continue engaging and partnering with them to create constructive collaboration and ease resolution of labor-related issues,” Ruto said.
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Others who were present during the meeting were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
With Deputy President @rigathi and Prime Cabinet Secretary @MusaliaMudavadi, held consultative meeting with workers representatives led by COTU Secretary General Francis @AtwoliDza at @StateHouseKenya, Nairobi; pic.twitter.com/t7pQZliQ0d
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) February 14, 2023
Ruto further stated that they discussed the need to employ more youth, welfare of diaspora workers, making workplaces safer and more dignified, and the Unions’ role in our affordable housing project and the Universal Health Coverage.
In December 2022, Atwoli said he resolved to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration not for selfish reasons but because he had to place the needs of the workers first.
“As leaders sitting on various international labor bodies, I am obliged to brief the President on whatever is discussed at the forums and their outcome. This can only effectively happen when I am working closely with the President,” Atwoli said.
In December, Atwoli disclosed that in his earlier meeting with Ruto, the two agreed that he (Atwoli) mobilizes all trade union General Secretaries for a meeting which took place today.
“The government losses billions of shillings through this scheme of labor outsourcing. These firms evade paying the government everything…from NHIF, NSSF to Pay as You Earn. The government needs to stop this trend,” Atwoli said.
