A global call for dignified labour environment

Kim Poole, Executive Director of the Teaching Artist Institute (TAI) [Courtesy]

As the cost of living rises and labour markets grow more precarious, the question of dignity at work has taken centre stage globally.

In Kenya, the issue has become increasingly urgent, with thousands of workers reporting exploitation, unsafe conditions, withheld wages and abuse—both locally and in foreign labour markets, particularly in the Middle East.

Against this backdrop, renewed calls are emerging for nations to put strong structures in place to guarantee dignified working environments anchored in fairness, shared ownership and respect for human labour.

These concerns dominated discussions at the close of the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives during the 12th Annual Kenyan Diaspora Homecoming Convention in Nairobi.

The convention brought together Kenyan and African diaspora leaders, policymakers,  cooperative practitioners and development partners to reflect on how cooperative models can advance inclusive growth and sustainable development while protecting workers from exploitation.

Delivering the keynote address, Kim Poole, Executive Director of the Teaching Artist Institute (TAI), challenged governments and employers to rethink how labour is valued.

“Human resource is the greatest resource. Labour and time are forms of sweat equity. We have the power to decide where and how we spend them,” Poole said.

Drawing from history, Poole warned that economies built on extraction and abuse of labour may  accumulate wealth but remain fragile.

“Systems rooted in stolen labour may look powerful, but they cannot endure,” she noted, linking historical exploitation to modern-day labour injustices affecting Black and Brown workers worldwide.

Her remarks comes at a time when reports of mistreatment of domestic workers from Kenya abroad, exploitation of casual labourers, and unsafe working conditions in the informal sector have become commonplace.

“Sustainable development and social stability will not be achieved through exploitation, but through labour systems that honour human dignity, shared ownership and safe, just working environments for all,” she said.

Labour rights groups say weak enforcement, unemployment pressure and lack of collective bargaining structures have left workers vulnerable.

Poole argued that the post–COVID-19 global labour shifts present an opportunity for reform.

“The global economy still runs on labour that has no collective control over time and skills. This moment gives us a chance to move away from exploitation toward cooperative systems grounded in dignity,” she said.

Anchoring her message in African history, Poole cited ancient cooperative achievements such as the Nile Valley civilizations, Axum and Lalibela as proof that societies can build lasting infrastructure through shared skills rather than coercion.

From this foundation, she introduced “Skills Banks,” cooperative structures where  individuals pool talents and access collective capacity based on need.

She also called on Kenya to establish an Office of Global African Cooperative Reparatory Development, arguing that reparations should be pursued through cooperative development rather than individual payouts.

“Kenya has the cooperative strength and diaspora reach to lead globally,” Poole said.

Her call echoes long-standing advocacy by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which has consistently urged Kenya and other nations to promote decent work, fair labour practices and strong cooperative systems, especially in the informal economy where most workers earn a living.