Private guards dismisses Fazul directive on union dues

Private Security Regulatory Authority boss Mohamed Fazul. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

According to him, the authority had initiated investigations into the allegations.

"Pending conclusion of the investigation, all security companies are hereby directed to, effective immediately, stop deducting and remitting private security officers' trade union fees to the Central Organisation of Trade Unions," Fazul statement read in part.

A day later, Cotu (K) Secretary General Francis Atwoli would, maintain that his outfit is an independent trade union that is neither regulated by PSRA nor any other government agency.

"The union dues Cotu (K) receives from private security workers, through their union's affiliation, is as a consequence of a Gazette Notice by the Ministry of Labour dated September 2, 2016, considering the labour laws and the requirements of the constitution of Cotu (K)," Atwoli said.

Andabwa on Friday argued that it is the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Labour to issue sectoral legal notices and not the regulatory authority.

He also said that the withdrawal from Cotu (K) as an affiliate member has not been okayed by the KNPSWU National Executive Council (NEC).

"The communique to cease deductions to Cotu (K), has yielded confusion and consequently put the industry sector in a state of 'quagmire," Andanwa said.

He added; "The stakeholders have cited anxiety, panic, conflict of interest and feel intimidated in terms of which of the coins is giving instructions or directives."

In the letter, Andabwa defended his position insisting that his appointment to the Cotu (K) board is not just about Union dues(commercial-oriented).

"It is anchored on representation and advocacy for the rights and welfare of private security office," he said.

Andabwa also expressed fear that the tiff between the regulator and Cotu (K) places guards in an awkward position before the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to which KNPSWU is represented through Cotu.