Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has appealed to the government not to impose a lockdown due to coronavirus.
Speaking yesterday in Nairobi, Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli (pictured above) said the situation can be controlled and therefore there is no need for a lockdown.
Mr Atwoli said many people work on temporary basis and a total shutdown would affect their livelihoods.
“There are people who do casual jobs or are on contracts. We do not want them to lose their daily bread simply because we are dramatising the whole coronavirus thing,” said Atwoli.
He commended employers who have adopted government directives meant to curb the spread of the virus.
He, however, cautioned those who might use the situation to sack workers that the union was watching them.
It's wrong
“It would be wrong for employers to shut down their businesses or sack workers without involving trade unions,” Atwoli said.
He urged employees who can report to work to do so. “As much as we support the initiative the government has taken, I urge Kenyans who are able to report to their places of work to continue doing so,” he said.
The Cotu boss averred that the union had taken time to issue a statement because it had been assessing the infection rate.
He said officials in his organisation have been comparing the pandemic to past cases to gauge its effects on a global scale.
“We have had outbreaks of malaria, tuberculosis and diseases like bird flu and Ebola in West Africa, which were properly controlled and dealt with,” said Atwoli.
“We should not close down businesses as if it is a time of war. Our medics are up to the task. Let us not dramatise effects of this disease."
