Atwoli proposes radical employment initiative for public and private sectors
Politics
By
Brian Otieno
| Jul 10, 2024
Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli wants the public and private sectors to implement a radical hiring plan to help address the country's high unemployment.
The veteran trade unionist proposes that parastatals and ministries employ 10 per cent of their total workforce, a move he asserts would come in handy to President William Ruto, who is desperate to quell growing dissent from youthful Kenyans.
In a statement, Atwoli highlighted the success of the employment initiative that founding President Jomo Kenyatta implemented in 1972 to avail employment opportunities to the youth.
"This visionary policy significantly alleviated unemployment and contributed to economic stability," said the Cotu boss.
During last May's Labour Day celebrations, Atwoli had fronted the proposal to Ruto, who has recently faced protests from Generation Zs and Millennials over several issues, including the lack of opportunity.
READ MORE
Ongoing labour unrests are early signs of an economy that's about to collapse
Trailers and weighbridges: The untold story
KTDA moves to restore order in tea bonus declarations
Madagascar tycoon to buy Zuku parent firm Wananchi Group
How container cash deposits are creating a problem for Kenyan traders
Gold rush: How illegal gallbladder trade threatens Lake Victoria fishers
Real estate posts high productivity as challenges hit wholesale, retail sectors
Agencies in fresh plan to market Kenyan coffee
AI-driven smart borders transform travel security
Fresh test for Ruto as IMF urges new tax policies to unlock loans
"Kenya is currently facing an unemployment crisis, particularly among the youth, and, therefore, the revival of the 10 per cent employment mandate would provide immediate job opportunities and reduce the number of jobless citizens," Atwoli added.
"Further, this will foster economic stability and growth which have a resultant effect on the political stability of the country considering the fact that high unemployment rates contribute to social unrest and dissatisfaction."
Ruto recently announced that the government would not hire new employees as part of austerity measures it was implementing under growing pressure. The move contradicted the push for employment among many young Kenyans, who lament being educated but jobless.
Gen Zs and Millennials have also stood in solidarity with intern doctors and junior secondary school teachers, who they insist must be employed with fitting terms.
Such calls featured in a list of demands to the Head of State, which directed the scrapping and defunding of unnecessary offices in favour of more opportunities for the youth, who form 70 per cent of Kenya's population and bear the brunt of unemployment.
President Ruto rode on the promise of creating jobs for young Kenyans, a pledge many of them now consider broken.
- Condomless sex causing infertility and STIs in young adults
- Why the bubbling Gen-Z has lost its heat
- Kenya, Uganda rivalry rears ugly head with new milk war
- Mithika Linturi's ouster exposes cracks in Kenya Kwanza