Don't attend Labour Day without goodies, Cotu warns

By Moses NjagihCentral Organisation of Trade Union (Cotu) has told the Government to keep off Labour Day celebrations if it will not heed calls to raise minimum wage for workers.
Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli, who last week disclosed that he had invited President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to the May 1 celebrations, said it would be unnecessary for them to attend the event unless they hike workers pay.
Mr Atwoli said due to harsh economic challenges that had seen prices of basic commodities increase, workers would be expecting nothing short of a Government declaration on improvement in minimum wage.
"We expect positive response from the Government (at the celebrations). But if the leaders know there is no improvement of wages, let them not show up," he said.
Speaking when he attended a workers prayer day at St Stephen ACK Church, Jogoo Road, Nairobi, Atwoli warned that he would call a national strike of workers if the wages were not reviewed upwards.
He said Cotu had evaluated the performance of different sectors of the economy and was convinced that the country’s economy could sustain an improved wage for workers.
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Atwoli said the union would be expecting the Government to raise the minimum wage by 60 per cent, a rise he said would place the minimum salary at Sh11,734.
"We are making the demands from a point of knowledge, we know the infrastructure has been made and the Government has made money. Other employers have also made money from the conducive business environment offered," said Atwoli.
He added: "If on that day things do not happen our way, we will call a national strike and we will urge workers not to report to work unless otherwise informed".
Atwoli warned investors who had expressed opposition to the minimum wage increment as demanded by the workers umbrella unions, saying they risked suffering the wrath of employees.
"Some are claiming that there will be an inflation if workers are given a pay rise, but we are sending a signal to them that they cannot continue practicing slavery in Kenya when they are raking in millions in profits at the expense of the overworked and underpaid workers," said Atwoli.
Outgoing US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger, who attended the service, urged workers not to shy from fighting for their rights.
"As workers, you must be heard. You must challenge the politicians to be accountable and act in the interest of the entire nation," said Mr Ranneberger.