The Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) has expressed its dissatisfaction with the consistent rise in fuel costs and the persistent tax pressure experienced by Kenyan citizens due to government policies. COTU is especially concerned about the government’s hesitancy to adjust wages in line with the increasing cost of living, which affects working people more significantly.
COTU’s leadership, led by Secretary General Francis Atwoli, has expressed their intention to engage in a constructive conversation with President William Ruto and the relevant government authorities. Their objective is to address the pressing issue of the high cost of living and its impact on the workforce.
Speaking in Mombasa, Atwoli stressed the urgent need to protect the well-being of workers who bear the burden of high taxes and the surging fuel prices. He warned that if action isn’t taken, it may lead workers to take to the streets to voice their concerns.
He further expressed his concerns about the continuous increase in fuel prices, emphasizing its negative effects on the economy while calling for an immediate adjustment of workers’ salaries to ease the burden of high taxes.
“As the COTU executive board, we have already initiated discussions with His Excellency President William Ruto, aiming for a high-level meeting with his advisors and the relevant government departments. The goal is to explore potential solutions for the rising cost of living,” stated Atwoli.
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These comments were made following his participation in the Industrial Global Union meeting held in Mombasa, where the challenges faced by African labor were discussed. He emphasized the importance of addressing these issues through dialogue rather than resorting to street protests, expressing the desire to meet with government officials and advisors according to a report by People Daily.
In September of this year, COTU, led by Deputy Secretary General Benson Okwaro, urged the government to raise the minimum wage by at least 50 percent. Okwaro pointed out that the government has been consistently increasing taxes, placing a growing financial burden on Kenyan citizens.
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“The government should explore other ways to broaden its tax base. There are many other areas where this can be achieved, but it is unacceptable to continue imposing higher taxes on employees,” Okwaro emphasized.
