COTU calls for a general wage increase

BY CATHERINE KARONG'O

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null 1/1 NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 27- The Central Organisation of Trade Unions has urged the government to announce a 10 percent general wage increase for all state employees. COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli told a media conference in Nairobi on Sunday that they also want the minimum wage increased by 60 percent. He said the move would cushion Kenyans against the high cost of living. “This affects almost everybody and the government should immediately intervene, otherwise how is somebody earning less than Sh10,000 going to survive or Sh20,000 for that matter or even Sh50,000? It’s unimaginable,” Mr Atwoli said. He also urged the government to introduce subsidies on basic commodities to cushion Kenyans against the high cost of living. “The government has an obligation to intervene because many Kenyans are suffering due to the high inflation rate,” he said. Mr Atwoli urged the Ministry of Energy to subsidise the cost of petroleum which has been on an upward trend since the year started. “This high cost has led to skyrocketing of basic food commodities and transportation as well,” Mr Atwoli said. Follow the author at https://twitter.com/kittiekatk

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