Kenya: Foreign Investors urged to utilise local manpower to boost economy

Eldoret, Kenya - Foreign investors have been urged to utilise local manpower to boost economy and increase job opportunities for locals across the Country

 

North Rift COTU chairman Peter Odima said it is regrettable that some foreign investors deny locals employment opportunities by sourcing manpower from other nations.

“We demand that foreign investors should give first priority to locals to work for them before considering importing human labour. We have a large number of youths who have relevant skills,” said Odima.

He stated that several youths, who have received relevant training from local learning institutions, have remained idle due to lack of jobs.

Odima urged foreign investors in key towns like Eldoret, Nakuru, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu to tap relevant skills of the youth by engaging them in the business sector across the country.

He added that they are working with county governments to ensure that all labour laws and regulations are followed in respect to the constitutional mandates.

“We are working closely with the county government to ensure that all workers follow the law. Those who contravene the law shall be dealt with”, he warned.

He lauded the president for increasing the employees’ wages and salaries of the workers by 12 percent.

The President said the increment of salaries was as a result of the high cost of living that has been experienced in the country.

However, Trade Union Congress of Kenya (TUCK) North Rift Secretary General, Julius Metto, said that the private sector has experienced a lot of challenges in paying workers in the past.

“I urge the government to look into the issues affecting the local mwananchi  because they are the backbone to the country’s economy,” said Metto.

He called upon both the public and the private sector to work together to ensure success in business.

Margaret Chepkwony, Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee (CEC) member asked the government to heed the pleas and concerns of workers saying that they are the key players in building the country’s economy and its  future development .

“I would like to challenge the issue concerning gender equality in the job opportunities in all the sectors. However, as a county, we are glad that we have observed the rule,” said Chepkwony.

She added that the county has given 40 percent of the job opportunities to women, which is at least above the required one third rule of representation.