BY JEFF OTIENO, GENEVA,SWITZERLAND.
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has applauded and described International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General report titled “a new era of social justice” as a wakeup call and a reminder to member states and constituents that we are not out of woods of the effects brought upon us by the inefficient growth model underpinned by the Washington (United States) consensus which has been pursued for over last three decades.
“COTU agrees with the reports thesis that, sustained and concerted actions witnessed in the last two years, from the governments, workers, employers and regional as well as multilateral institutions is still needed in order to fully surmount the effects of the crisis”, Atwoli told the 189 member states representative and workers delegates in United Nations General Assembly Hall, Geneva.
“ We therefore welcomes the reports call for the fundamental changes involving the building of foundations of a new growth model encompassing the ILO values of equity, inclusiveness, fairness and social justice in short shared growth which places people’s needs and aspirations at the centre of its strategy”, Atwoli told the gathering.
He added that we must remain committed and sustain measures agreed at G20 and at the global jobs impact in order to fully overcome the crisis.
“The recruitment of qualified and registered teachers as interns as well as the recruitment of nurses on non-standard contracts by the Government has been cited by many employers as reason enough to employ or even retain employees as casuals, since the Government is doing the same, we wish to ask for policy to cease with immediate effect as it is not in the tandem“, he said.
“COTU has been on record as opposing the mechanization of the enterprises so long as the goal isn`t value addition but reduction of labour force with a view of maximizing profits for capital”, he emphasized.
The Scenario prevails in the Kenya and we therefore appeal that it be curtailed the fiery COTU boss thundered to the delegates.
He further took issue with the Kenyan government for arresting and terminating employment of 30 shop stewards who participated in the workers strike against the mechanization of the Tea plucking machines in the Tea plantations in Kenya in October last year.
Atwoli is in the Geneva for a three week 100th Session of ILO conference and he was joined early this week by the Labour Minister John Munyes and the Labour Permanent Secretary Beatrice Kituyi.
Also in the Kenyan delegation are Secretary General of Electrical Workers Union Ernest Nadome, Secretary General of Sugar Workers Union Francis Wangara, Textile Workers Union Joel Chebii and Communications Workers Union Deputy Secretary General Ismael Noo.
The event was officially opened by President of Finland.
END