The Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) has declined to take part in the proposed meeting on redundancy in public sugar factories, at the invitation of the Ministry of Labour.

In a statement issued on Friday October 4, 2025, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, dismissed the request asserting that the meeting was against the values of the Ministry of Labour, whose mandate is employment creation.

He instead called on the Ministry to work towards expanding employment opportunities for the increasing number of young people leaving learning institutions in search of work.

“It is deeply concerning that the Ministry, whose central mandate is employment creation, would convene a meeting to discuss redundancy at a time when the unemployment crisis in our country is acute,” Atwoli said.

“As COTU (K) we believe that it is through the Ministry of Labour that we can collectively support His Excellency the President in generating meaningful employment, particularly for the growing number of young people leaving institutions of learning in search of work,” he continued.

Atwoli further noted that the Alfred Mutua led ministry was established primarily to safeguard the interest of workers and help create employment.

“At the outset, it is important to recall that, first, the Ministry of Labour was established primarily to help create employment and to protect the meager jobs that we have as a country,” he noted.

The COTU secretary general stated that the union had found fault with the clause allowing employers to declare workers redundant, adding that they have consistently proposed through the National Labour Board to have it amended.

“This clause is obsolete and no longer reflects the realities or aspirations of our labour market.”

On 1st September 2025, the Commissioner for Labour in the State Department for Labour and Skills Development, wrote to Atwoli, requesting him to nominate at least one officer to the Tripartite Committee, on the proposed redundancy in public sugar factories.

According to the letter, the members of the Tripartite Committee would be required to review and provide policy and legal oversight over the proposed redundancy exercise, facilitate structured consultations among all relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance with labour legislation, fair labour practices, and collective bargaining agreements.

They would also provide technical guidance on dispute prevention, lawful termination, and staff transition in line with national labour standards and international obligations.