The discussions focused on promoting sound labour relations, fostering industrial harmony, and advancing inclusive economic transformation, in line with the government’s agenda on labour relations.

Atwoli urged the Head of Public Service to ensure the implementation of the presidential directive on outsourcing.

“Effectively, workers in outsourced services will be subjected to CBA and allowed to enjoy their constitutional rights under Article 41 of the Kenyan constitution.” Noted Atwoli.

The COTU Secretary General thanked President William Ruto for honouring commitments made during this year’s Labour Day celebrations on May 1st which include provisions in the Finance Act 2025 that exempt final pension payouts from taxation and reduce the mandatory deposit for Affordable Housing Units from 11pc to 5pc.

While acknowledging the role played by National Employment Authority (NEA) Atwoli called on Koskei for the agency to either be absorbed into the Ministry of Labour or restructured into a tripartite institution to prevent what the union termed as practices resembling modern-day slavery.

“Noting the role played by National Employment Authority (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 noted.

Further Atwoli urged the office of the Head of Public Service to expedite the Ratification of ILO Convention 189 on the rights of Domestic Workers and ILO Convention 190 on the elimination of Gender Based violence at Workplaces.