Koskei and Atwoli Push for Labor Policy Reforms in High-Level Meeting
Nairobi – Head of Public Service Felix Koskei met with COTU-K Secretary General Francis Atwoli in Nairobi to discuss strengthening labor relations and improving conditions for workers across the country.
The meeting focused on tightening government-labor cooperation and pushing for policies that protect worker rights and ensure fair treatment in line with Kenya’s constitution.
Atwoli called for full enforcement of a presidential directive that would place outsourced workers under Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), ensuring they receive benefits and protections under Article 41 of the Constitution. “Effectively, workers in outsourced services will be subjected to CBA and allowed to enjoy their constitutional rights,” Atwoli said.
He commended President William Ruto for addressing key labor demands made during the 2025 Labour Day celebrations. Those include exempting final pension payouts from taxation and lowering the mandatory deposit for Affordable Housing Units from 11% to 5%.
Atwoli also raised concern over the operations of the National Employment Authority (NEA), accusing it of practices that resemble “modern-day slavery.” He proposed that NEA either be absorbed into the Ministry of Labor or restructured into a tripartite body to include government, workers, and employers.
“Noting the role played by the NEA in what seems to be modern-day slavery, I called upon the Head of Public Service to ensure that either NEA is made a department within the Ministry of Labour or the representation becomes tripartite,” Atwoli said.
He further pushed for Kenya to ratify two key International Labour Organization conventions Convention 189 on domestic workers’ rights and Convention 190 aimed at eliminating gender-based violence in workplaces.
Koskei acknowledged the concerns and affirmed the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening labor frameworks through dialogue and collaboration with union leadership. No timelines were given, but both parties agreed to continue consultations on implementation.
The meeting marked a renewed push from both government and labor leaders to address long-standing grievances and modernize Kenya’s labor system.
