Confusion is emerging over this year’s
Labour Day preparations after two rival trade unions separately invited
President Uhuru Kenyatta to attend the event.
The
battle for the control of the workers’ day has become the new frontier
in the fight for control of the hearts and minds of Kenyan labourers
after the registration of a new umbrella trade union, the Federation of
Public Service Trade Unions of Kenya (PUSETU-K) to rival the the
Central Organisation of Trade Unions.
There is also a
push to sit on lucrative boards managing billions of shillings
contributed by workers to the National Hospital Insurance Fund, National
Social Security Fund and Retirement Benefits Authority, previously the
preserve of Cotu.
Both the general secretary of the
new union, Dr Charles Mukhwaya, and Cotu’s Francis Atwoli have
separately invited the President to the May 1 event.
And
Secretary for Labour Kazungu Kambi, who confirmed to the Sunday Nation
that he had received invitations from both, said there should be no
controversy over the matter as the government recognised both
organisations.
“If both Cotu and Pusetu have written
to the President, then it is within their rights. The unions are key
stakeholders in the labour sector and are equal in the eyes of the
government.”
But Mr Kambi said he is scheduled to hold
talks with the two labour centres in order to arrange for smooth Labour
Day celebrations as well as the formation of a Labour Board.
In
bid to address the controversy surrounding the event, Cotu sought in an
advertisement to dismiss their rivals, insisting that the only official
invitation sent to the President is the one dispatched from their
office.
But Dr Mukhwaya said Cotu’s presumption that Labour Day was their preserve has now been overtaken by events.
“Previously,
Cotu assumed the role of organising and moderating the Labour Day
event. But now, given that Pusetu, which represents the majority of
Kenyan workers, is here, we demand that the responsibility of
coordinating, organising and moderating the event be given to us. The
general public and workers in this country have been led to believe
that, which is wrong,” the general secretary said.
Dr
Mukhwaya censured the Atwoli-led Cotu, accusing it of turning Labour Day
celebrations into political rallies. “We have witnessed in the past
Cotu convert the celebrations into political gatherings instead of
addressing key issues affecting the Kenyan workers,” he said.
The Pusetu chief said his organisation intends to take full control of the event.
“We
have Kenya National Union of Teachers, Union of Kenya Civil Servants,
University Academic Staff Union, Kenya Universities Staff Union and the
Dock Workers Union; others are in the process of joining. These are
credible workers unions with verifiable numbers that are close to
700,000,” he said. Cotu, according to Pusetu, has just about 160,000
members from the private sector.
He clarified that
Pusetu, which is set to be launched on Tuesday at an event atctended by
by three Cabinet secretaries, was not created to fight Cotu.
But
Cotu assistant secretary general Benson Okwaro says they are the most
representative, not only in Kenya but in the region, and that the
Constitution does not envisage any of the Pusetu-K affiliates.
“It
would be unfortunate for Cotu and its leadership to engage in any such
shadow-boxing and clashes with Pusetu when we have an even bigger role
to play globally,” Mr Okwaro said, adding that Mr Kambi was free to pick
which body to work with in the interest of the country’s industrial
relations stability.
Other Cabinet secretaries expected
at the event are Prof Jacob Kaimenyi (Education) and Ms Anne Waiguru
(Devolution). Pusetu officials hope Deputy President William Ruto will
represent President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Ignored
According
to the Federation’s vice chairman Prof Sammy Kubasu, the new outfit was
formed to take care of the isolated public servants whose interests, he
claims, were ignored by Cotu.
“Labour Day is not about
making noise and insulting people. It is a day to celebrate workers; we
are going to change the way the event is run,” Prof Kubasu said.
But
behind the denials that Pusetu was created to fight Cotu, the new
organisation’s executive director Njeru Kanyamba said the federation is
also fighting for space in various bodies where the Constitution allows
worker representation. “Our intention is not to drive them out of these
boards, but if they want to leave, so be it,” he said.
Apart
from NHIF, NSSF, SRC and the Labour Board, Cotu controls workers’
pension scheme, and has access to various public commissions as well as
representing workers to various forums internationally. Regionally, he
is the chairman of the East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC).
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