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The Central Organization of Trade Unions Kenya (COTU) K Secretary General Francis Atwoli has faced criticism from opposition chief Raila Odinga, claiming that the worker’s union has gone deaf over President Ruto’s proposed 2023 Finance Bill.
Francis Atwoli was Raila Odinga’s cheerleader during the campaign for the 2022 August general elections. However, the two have not been on good terms since the announcement of the presidential winner, the workers’ union boss switched gears in support of President William Ruto’s administration.
Read: Raila warns against appetite for foreign loans
The former prime minister has accused the worker’s union of going silent over the proposed financial bill that will see Kenyans suffer at the hands of the Kenya Kwanza government. The bill has shortlisted a ransom of taxes and levies, which the opposition feels is just a punishment to the members of the public.
Workers movement has gone to bed with this regime. Kenyan workers are now on their own.”
Raila said.
The opposition leader has voiced Azimio’s stand on the proposed Finance Bill 2023, which if passed by the assemblies will result in an increase in taxes and levies.
Read: GIVE RAILA ODINGA A JOB; COTU Sec. General Francis Atwoli
COTU Responds to Raila
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions Kenya led by Francis Atwoli, has on May 8 released a statement expressing their take on the proposed 3% house levy included in the Finance Bill 2023.
Trade unionist Francis Atwoli has spoken out against the critics who are pointing fingers at the worker’s union, stating that he had invited leaders for a social dialogue over various issues included in the Finance Bill, instead, those who skipped the Labour Day celebrations are the same latter issuing complaints over the same.
It’s rather unfortunate that even after COTU (K) Secretary General invited all union leaders and the President of Kenya to have a social dialogue on various issues including the 3% housing fund levy, those who skipped the Labour Day Celebrations are now complaining about the resolution of the meeting.”
Read the statement in part.
COTU has sided with the government’s proposal of inclusion of a 3% monthly levy, citing it as an initiative towards building low-cost homes for Kenyan workers, and not tax as claimed.
“It must be noted that the 3 per cent levy is not a tax and that this is a great initiative towards building low-cost homes for Kenyan workers.
The statement further read.
Article 43 b of the constitution instructs that every Kenyan has the right to accessible and adequate housing and to reasonable standards of sanitation.”
The notice also reiterated that those who wanted to opt out of the program would be allowed to do so, receiving their savings with interest.
The government of Kenya has made it clear that they have already invested Ksh5 billion into the housing fund and those who contribute to the housing fund and later wish to withdraw their contributions will have access to their savings with interest.”
COTU said.
