Cotu, FKE: We were left out of President Uhuru’s social protection conference

Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli. He said yesterday Kenyan employers and workers are the main contributors to the NSSF. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

NAIROBI: The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has complained to the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Services for being left out in the on-going Social Protection Conference week.

Cotu was left out in the planning, organisation and participation in the one-week conference.

Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the Kenyan workers and employers are the main contributors to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) saying it was unwise for the Labour ministry to preside over the conference week without involving them.

“It is absurd that whereas the Kenya Federation of Employers (FKE) and Cotu are the key social partners in the country that is mandated to engage government on all issues pertaining to social protection, the Kenya Government through the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Services denied them involvement in the planning, organising and participation in the conference,” said Atwoli.

COTU’S EXPECTATIONS

He reiterated that Cabinet Secretary for Labour Kazungu Kambi should exhibit openness, accountability and transparency in his duties and deeds.

“These are no little matters affecting both the employers and workers of this country and we call upon the President to intervene. If somebody has been briefing the President on the happenings at the ministry and has continued to withhold key information, he should be sacked immediately to pave way for any other competent Kenyan to be appointed to the ministry,” said Atwoli.

He said the Government cannot organise a conference of such grave matters as social protection without involving employers and workers who are the main contributors to NSSF.

“Whose interests is the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Labour Social Security and Services serving? Both the FKE and Cotu are at a loss as to who this government is serving because you cannot organise a conference of such magnitude touching on social protection without involving employers and workers, the main contributors of NSSF,” he said.