Calls for employers across the country to respect and uphold the dignity of workers dominated the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) annual prayer day, held at St. Stephen’s ACK Cathedral along Jogoo Road, Nairobi.
The thanksgiving event, attended by hundreds of COTU leaders and worshippers, comes just days before the Labour Day celebrations set for May 1. This year’s occasion also marks COTU-K’s 60th anniversary, adding significance to the ceremony.
Speakers, among them the Church’s Provost Rev. Canon Paul Kariuki, emphasized the need for employers to create conducive and respectful working environments for their employees. Canon Kariuki criticized what he termed as inconsiderate and unjust treatment of workers, warning that such practices remain a major obstacle to achieving a productive labour sector.
He further urged Kenyans to embrace hard work and steer clear of divisive political conversations that threaten national social and economic progress.
Echoing the call for better treatment of workers, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli challenged the government to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 190, which seeks to eliminate violence and harassment in the world of work.
Atwoli also put on notice employers who mistreat and manipulate workers, including through sexual exploitation, warning that such abuses would not be tolerated.
The prayer day set the tone for this year’s Labour Day celebrations, with a renewed focus on protecting workers’ rights and fostering national productivity.
