The government has been accused of scheming to scrap the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that allows workers to agitate for pay rises.
Central Organisation of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC) is a constitutional body meant to advise the government and should not be used to replace CBA but to stick to its mandate as enshrined in the constitution.
“I hear some politicians saying that SRC should be allowed to harmonise salaries. Let them read the constitution and know that CBA is there to help workers bargain for better pay,” he said.
He said CBA is fully protected by International Labour Organisation (ILO) and has been domesticated in the country.
Addressing East African Trade Union Confederation youth camp in Kisumu on Monday, Atwoli said SRC has nothing to do with the recently salary increment awarded to teachers.
He further accused the government of being anti workers due to their failure to obey court orders that awarded the 50-60 pay increase.
Atwoli took a swipe at the Deputy President William Ruto who noted that teachers must listen to the Salary Commission for the harmonization of their salaries.
He said the DP should give dialogue a chance and take into account the transformative work teachers are undertaking in the country.
“Workers in this country are being taken for a ride and it is high time the government learn that it is the workers who propel the economy,” he said.
The COTU boss said workers are in the forefront to scale up the economy of the country and expect support from the executive.