Central Organisation of Trade Unions fights bid to scrap allowances

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has accused the Government of abetting unfair labour practices and has threatened to report the matter at the next International Labour Organisation (ILO) conference.

In a statement signed by Cotu Deputy Secretary General Benson Okwaro, the union said it would make good its threat if the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) succeeded in scrapping some of the allowances public servants have been enjoying.

"This move will no doubt attract recommendations as well as sanctions to the Kenya government by the ILO as a key United Nations agency," Mr Okwaro said.

This comes after SRC released a report proposing to scrap 33 allowances by public servants as well as to review other allowances.

Cotu said the move by SRC was retrogressive and contravened the country's Constitution and relevant legislation both locally and internationally.

"The decision by SRC amounts to unfair labour practices whereupon our national Constitution is clear under the Bill of Rights Article 41(i) that every person has the right to fair labour practices and Article 41(2)(a) that every worker has the right to fair remuneration" said Okwaro.

He said ILO Convention 095 of 1949 and the Employment Act 2007 part (iv) on the protection of wages say no employer can reduce an employee's salary to the latter's disadvantage.

Okwaro added that SRC should not scrap allowances payable to all civil servants and State officials, including nurses and teachers, under the pretense of reducing the country's wage bill and harmonising allowances.

The union also pointed out that it would rally behind the Kenya National Union of Nurses together with both the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers and Kenya National Union of Teachers in opposing the SRC proposals.

"Cotu will support any resultant industrial action against the Government should the latter insist on implementing the report," said Okwaro.