KNUT urge the government to support unions to better workers’ wellbeing

Teso

Sunday, August 6, 2023 

KNA by Absalom Namwalo

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has appealed to President William Ruto, to support workers unions, to cultivate a good working relationship which enhances productivity.

Speaking at Knut Teso branch in Amagoro, the Branch Secretary, Geoffrey Ekasiba, noted that a healthy working environment between government and workers, will ignite determinations for the fulfilment of both employers and the pupils who are the clients.

Ekasiba challenged the President to rethink the Finance ACT and give room for amendments to save teachers’ payslip that is already in ICU.

He noted that the Finance Act 2023 became functional on 28th July shortly after the Court of Appeal overturned that High court decision which had suspended its implementation.

 “I would like to appeal to our President to bring harmony between teachers and the government, so that we are able to support unions that bring together Kenyan workers because if you look at Section 41 of the Kenyan Constitution, every worker has the right to join a union of his or her choice,” Ekasiba said in an interview at Amagoro town.

It says every worker has the right to fair remuneration, reasonable working conditions, form, join or participate in the activities and programmes of a trade union besides being free to go on strike.

Ekasiba said the Union is in the move to revamping its membership through recruitment of new members and sweet-talking former members who migrated to their rival KUPPET to reconsider going back to strengthen KNUT.

Knut lost over 6,000 members in Teso region alone which came as a big blow to the union. “We are very close to our former members because we know that it won’t be possible for us to bring them back to the union if we are not close to them,” the secretary said.

“KNUT has a responsibility to make sure teachers feel represented and their views heard by our leadership being close to them. All this aims at winning back their trust in the Union and ensuring our members get better service,” he added.

KNUT has seen some members who left the Union have rejoined, exuding confidence Knut will regain its lost glory.

“Our numbers are increasing and my appeal to my fellow teachers is to let them come and stand with us because with a big number of members, we will have a vibrant union that will fight for the rights of all teachers.”

The Union leadership vowed to block attempts by the government to backdate the new taxes which Ekasiba said will be unfair to both employees and employers.

“As Knut we don’t agree with the backdating of the taxes because to begin with, we were not involved at all when they initiated the new levies,” said Ekasiba.

Courtesy ; K. N. A