The Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU (K) on Tuesday, April 16, warned employers who would not submit salary deductions of employees to the union.
This was communicated by COTU Boss Francis Atwoli who was speaking a day after Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) CEO, Fazul Mahamed, instructed employers not to submit deductions of their security officers.
In a statement, Atwoli remarked that Mahamed did not have the authority to issue such a directive.
The trade unionist further wondered how Fazul Mahamed could make directives affecting COTU which is an independent body.
“It must be remembered that COTU (K) is a free and Independent Trade Union that is neither regulated by PSRA nor any other Government Agency,” Atwoli faulted the PSRA CEO.
“As such the demands contained in the letter by PSRA can only be made by the union members and/or the respective union.”
Explaining why Fazul could not stop the salary deductions, Atwoli recalled that the contributions to COTU were a consequence of a Gazette Notice and could only be halted through revocation of the said notice.
Atwoli further alleged that Fazul Mahamed had questionable academic papers and should resign or face possible prosecution.
“We equally understand that Fazul’s term at the helm of PSRA is coming to an end and thus the increasing appetite for juvenile antics to gain prominence for another appointment,” Atwoli further alleged.
Fazul Mahamed while calling for the cessation of contributions remarked that COTU was not protecting the rights of private security officers.
“COTU has not lived up to its mandate and has persistently disregarded, declined, and/or neglected to advocate for their rights,” Fazul stated.
According to Fazul, private security guards contribute billions and as such, there should be accountability on how the funds are used.
