Money and power: Inside the big battle for workers billions- Saturday 12/04/2014

PUSETU VS COTU

If you work for the government and you are thinking of joining PUSETU think twice, its not that am anti-change agent, it’s my view that the new union will never stand for the rights of the workers. What makes this union more controversial is the launch, Launched by the principal secretaries in the ministry of labour, education and devolution. Why can’t you open your eyes and see that it’s another government body, do you ever think that the government is ever going to fight against itself? If you join be warned the union will only collect your monthly contributions and never at one moment announce a strike or anything that we call fighting for our rights.

It’s a way of taming Francis Atwoli, he is well known for his battle and a strong speech during Labor day Celebrations. He was very notorious during Kibaki regime and sometimes the President could not stand him, he skipped the celebrations and send the Vice President to deliver his message. The government feels threatened by the power in the hands of this man, that’s why they had to think of creating their own union to control its workers. COTU has over the years led to many strikes which have led to better salaries and remunerations to its Members. The most recent is good package for casual laborers like your House girl and shamba boy(They are entitled to a good salary am not able to quote the amount at this moment, NSSF and NHIF Cover)

One thing that the government is afraid of is the rising cost of living that may affect the disposables income of its work force this has led to rampant strikes like we have witnessed in the last year ranging from doctors, teachers and other civil servants. I have a bad feeling that one day the people of this country might take to streets to protest high cost of living which has been triggered by rise in prices of basic commodities.

Coming up with another union shows how desperate the government is in controlling your pay, a good example is look at NSSF they have increased rates and NHIF will follow the same trend, It shows that the government does not have enough funds to run its expensive trillion budget. If were the president just for one day the first cabinet secretary I would send home is the guy in the Finance docket, With his Harvard degree, how on earth do you increase VAT on the basic commodities?

It’s not that am fighting against the government for a fact that you should know, I love my country and am a proud Kenyan. It’s only that there are a few things I don’t like and I have given up on the leadership of this country. 

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