0
0
By Elijah Odanga
The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) has responded to the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) following an order by the latter for private security firms to stop remittances to the former.
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has warned PSRA against interfering with its affairs saying the trade union is free and independent and is neither regulated by PSRA nor any other government agency.
“It must be remembered that COTU (K) is a free and Independent Trade Union that is neither regulated by PSRA nor any other government agency. As such the demands contained in the letter by PSRA can only be made by the union members and/or the respective union,” Atwoli stated.
“Further, the union dues COTU (K) receives from private security workers, through their union’s affiliation to COTU (K), is as a consequence of a gazette notice by the Ministry of Labour, dated 2nd September 2016, considering the labour laws and the requirements of the constitution of COTU (K).”
Atwoli says he has been the leading champion of the rights and welfare of private security workers in Kenya, terming PSRA as the greatest impediment to the enhancement of the rights and welfare of private security guards.
“Indeed, Bro. Isaac GM Andabwa, who is the General Secretary of the KNPSWU (Kenya National Private Security Workers Unio) not only sits in the executive board of COTU (K) but has received a lot of support from the leadership of COTU (K) in organizing workers in that sector,” Atwoli added.
