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General Secreatary(COWU (K) - Mr. Benson Okwaro
The
General Secreatary of COWU (K) - Mr. Benson Okwaro has written a press statement
commenting on a circular issued by the Permanent Secretary and Head of the
Public Service Ambassador Francis Muthaura:
PRESS
RELEASE
RE:
THE SALARIES AND REMUNERATION COMMISSION
The
Communication Workers Union of Kenya is appalled with a circular issued by the
Permanent Secretary and Head of the Public Service Ambassador Francis Muthaura
dated 25th May, 2011 purporting to curtail setting or review of
salaries and allowances of state and public officers.
We wonder what prompted the permanent secretary to issue such a circular without
first consulting experts and other stake holders. The new constitution
differentiates between a state officer and a public officer as it pertains to
the functions of the commission. It clearly states that the commission will
advise on remuneration and benefits of public officers and not to determine
them.
Whereas
the new constitution gives a right to a worker to form, join or participate in
the activities and programs of a Trade Union, this circular is both
retrospective and untenable. As a workers’ Union, representing employees of
PCK, Telkom (K) Ltd and KBC, we shall continue to champion the interests of our
members including better salaries and benefits for them. Rights of Collective
Bargaining are enshrined in the constitution and no employer or Government can
deny the workers’ their rights.
This circular has been issued in bad faith and hence we are appealing to the PS
to reconsider its impact and revoke it immediately. Meanwhile we are in total
agreement with the stand taken by COTU (K) to ignore the circular as we wait for
further action to be taken by them (COTU) which we will support.
Written by:
Benson O. Okwaro
General Secretary
Communication Workers Union of Kenya
UNI Global UNION
Comfia CCOO