Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli has called on Kenyans to be careful with government internships.
Speaking on Monday, Atwoli said that the government was hiding behind internships instead of employiong graduates..
"The internship programme for graduates has a negative effect on the public sector hiring systems and will spill into the private sector," Atwoli said.
“If the government wishes to employ graduates, it should not hide under titles such as internship. This is mere contracting of civil servants that is against the principles of employment outlined in the Labour Relations Act, 2007, Employment Act, 2007 and other laws."
Atwoli stated that the negative effects were being felt at the Kenya Youth Employment Opportunities Project (KYEOP) and the Teachers Service Commission.
KYEOP lately advertised a paid internship lasting 12 to 18 months.The unionist stated that the TSC's conditions are rigorous and that the implication on wages and contracts has been totally neglected.
"The terms and conditions of employment under all these programmes are not well stipulated," he said.
He instructed that the government should put to an end the application of double standards when it comes to the employment of civil servants and he wants immediate action by the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs; National Industrial Training Authority; National Employment Authority and other authorities "to avert the employment crisis that the public service is going to face in future".