By Rosemil Oduor
Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has called for the dissolution of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) saying that the commission has frustrated independent pay talks between trade unions and employers.
His sentiments echo those of Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu who had said that SRC has become a major stumbling block towards teachers’ pay in the country.
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary General Omboko Milemba had also lashed out at SRC over teachers’ evaluation.
Speaking during Labour Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium, Atwoli said that the role of SRC is only an advisory one as workers’ earnings are protected by International Labour Conventions (ILO).
“There is a lot of discontent within the civil service because SRC has frustrated unions,” he said.
He added that they championed for SRC to have an advisory role but the commission caused unhappiness within the public service by illegally taking powers of free and independent collective bargaining.
“SRC doesn’t have a role of setting wages and income for workers. It is a stumbling block to fair labour practices. ILO convention advocates for free and fair bargaining on a give and take basis. It is very unfortunate that after we carry out negotiations with a parastatal, SRC comes in to dictate what servants should be paid,” he said.
He concluded by asking MPs to look into the complaints launched against SRC.
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