Trade unions call for disbandment of the SRC

Labour Chief Administrative Secretary Abdul Bahari with Director International Labour Organisation Wellington Chibebe during the official opening of the National Social Dialogue Forum in the Education Sector in Nakuru on April 15, 2019. [Harun Wathari]

A workers' body has called for the disbandment of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

The Central Organisation for Trade Unions (Cotu) wants SRC disbanded over what it has termed frustrations in the implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).

Cotu assistant Secretary General Ernest Nadome said, during a workshop for trade unionists in Nakuru yesterday, that the commission had become a stumbling block to negotiations.

“What should make Kenyans support the referendum is not the politics but the disbandment of SRC. It is a commission whose existence has affected the livelihoods of many Kenyans,” said Mr Nadome.

He said the commission had been derailing progress made between workers and their employers, even when such parties had reached an agreement.

“Already, the commission is coming up with more stringent regulations on salaries. It has on several occasions disregarded agreements reached by trade unions and employers, thus maintaining the status quo in the sectors,” said Nadome.