Cotu pledges to work with government
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) yesterday pledged to work with President William Ruto’s government to promote unity, rights and welfare of Kenyan workers.
Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli (above) said it was only through unity that the government could put in place mechanisms to spur economic growth and improve the terms and conditions of workers.
He said the President’s inaugural speech was full of reconciliation and hope, adding that Cotu associates with Ruto’s resolution and assurance of working with all Kenyans from all the political divides.
“As workers, we support the President’s call for unity and reconciliation as we hope and trust, and call upon other Kenyans, to have all hands-on deck,” said Atwoli in a statement.
He said Ruto’s speech must be taken seriously as it plants a sense of hope, adding that the country is ‘bigger than all of us’.
“At any given time when Kenyans have failed to move in one direction, a problem has always occurred and those who have suffered the most have been workers, children and women,” he noted.
Atwoli stated that the union is willing to work with the government of the day as has been the tradition, which provides an environment where workers (through Cotu), employers (through FKE) and the government (through the Labour Ministry) work in a tripartite structure.
“COTU remains ready to work with the administration of President William Ruto to promote unity and the rights and welfare of Kenyan workers,” he said.
Atwoli at the same time joined Kenyans in celebrating and congratulating President Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua on their inauguration on Tuesday.
