Increase workers pay to mitigate high inflation, Atwoli demands
Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has condemned the rising cost of fuel and continued over-taxation of Kenyans by the government without adjusting their wages.
Cotu top brass led by Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the umbrella body is seeking dialogue with President William Ruto and other relevant government agencies to discuss the issue of high cost of living and its impact on workers.
Speaking in Mombasa yesterday, he reiterated that there is need to cushion workers who are bearing the brunt of high taxation as well as high cost of fuel failure to which they would resort to street protests.
Atwoli regretted that the continued increase of fuel prices has badly affected the economy and called for adjustment of workers pay to mitigate the high taxation.
“As the Cotu executive board, we have already initiated communication with His Excellency President William Ruto seeking a high-level meeting with his advisors and relevant ministries. The aim is to explore potential solutions for escalating cost of living,” said Atwoli.
Wrong direction
He was speaking after attending the Industrial Global Union meeting in Mombasa that seeks to address the Africa labour challenges.
“We need to meet them as Cotu executive board and tell them that the country is not moving in the right direction, we don’t want to take our people on the streets before we enter into dialogue,” said Atwoli.
He said the meeting with top government officials will resolve the taxation stalemate and arrive at a harmonised solution that will favour Kenyan workers.
