Atwoli’s Betrayal: Workers Left Behind as He Aligns with Ruto on Taxes
On Monday, May 8, the Kenya Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), led by Francis Atwoli, retaliated against public servants and trade unionists protesting the 3% house levy included in the 2023 Finance Bill.
In a statement, COTU stated that the president and union leaders had previously discussed the issues surrounding the levy.
Atwoli, a vociferous trade unionist, criticized the individuals who protested the levy for missing the meeting and, as a result, failed to voice their concerns when necessary.
Even though the COTU (K) Secretary General invited all union leaders. And the President of Kenya to social dialogue on various issues. Including the 3% housing fund levy, those who skipped Labour Day Celebrations are now complaining about the meeting’s outcome. The COTU stated.
In addition, the notice stated that the tax was a positive government initiative to construct affordable housing for Kenyans.
COTU stated that the government had already contributed Ksh5 billion to the housing fund to provide Kenyans with adequate housing.
“It is important to note that the 3% levy is not a tax and that this is an excellent initiative to build affordable housing for Kenyan workers.
COTU added, “Article 43 b of the Kenyan constitution stipulates that every Kenyan has the right to accessible and adequate housing and reasonable sanitation standards.”
Additionally, the notice reaffirmed that those who opted out of the program would receive their savings with interest.
“The government of Kenya has made it clear that they have already invested Ksh5 billion into the housing fund, and those who contribute to the fund and later wish to withdraw their contributions will have access to their savings with interest,” according to the statement.
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COTU simultaneously cautioned Union leaders against politicizing the issue and urged them to embrace social dialogue.
“It is unfortunate that a constitutional right and an agreement between the government and employees are politicized.
COTU would like to encourage the trade unionists who skipped the Labor Day celebrations. And the meeting with the president to engage in social dialogue and stop politicizing serious issues, the organization stated.
Previously, during a press conference, the leader of the Azimio coalition, Raila Odinga. Stated that the coalition would instruct its members of parliament to distance themselves from the bill.
“We wish to make it clear from the outset that as a party, we will do everything possible to prevent the National Assembly from passing this anti-people budget.
“If Kenya Kwanza uses its hired majority to pass the Bill in its current form, we want the Kenyan people to know that it is Kenya Kwanza’s Bill. Raila stated, “We will instruct our legislators to have nothing to do with it.”
On Sunday, May 7, the Public Sector Union (PSU) vowed to oppose what they deemed to be excessive taxation. Of public servants, threatening to go on strike if the bill was passed.
“The tax authorities continue to overburden workers in the public sector whose salaries are deducted at source, while doing very little to net those employed in the private sector,” read a portion of a statement from PSU.
Atwoli’s Betrayal: Workers Left Behind as He Aligns with Ruto on Taxes
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