PICTURED: Pusetu and Cotu Secretary-Generals Charles Mukhwaya and Francis Atwoli.
The East Africa Law Society (EALS) has accused the Government of creating disharmony in the labour sector.
The EALS President James Mwamu said the Government has shown its fear of a strong labour movement by attempting to stifle workers’ constitutional rights.
“Fears of the Government came to the fore after registration of the Federation of Public Service Trade Union (Pusetu) to rival the Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu),” Mr Mwamu said.
He said in a statement Wednesday that registration of the parallel organisation is an attempt to drag the country back to the dark days.
Article 41 of the Constitution provides for fair labour practices including the right to fair remuneration, reasonable working conditions, join trade unions and to go on strike.
“Labour Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi is openly representing a Government that is out rightly fearful of a strong labour movement in the country,” Mr Mwamu said.
Rivalry between the two organisations intensified after the Industrial Court granted Cotu orders restraining Pusetu from interfering with the Labour Day celebrations on Thursday.
The EALS President said the country needs a credible body to watch over workers investments in pension funds and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
“We do not need a Government outfit created for the sole purpose of creating confusion,” he said.
He warned that the Government intends to weaken workers’ representatives to cripple their bargaining power.
“Workers must resist the current moves to water down their bargaining power and fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution,” Mr Mwamu said.
The EALS President also called upon the leadership of Cotu to hold elections to inject fresh leadership in the union.
www.doitadigital.com