In india, as in many other countries of southeast asia, the. The central organization of trade unions was founded in 1965. Strategies adopted by trade unions in the changing nature. The central organization of trade unions cotu is a national trade union center in kenya. The trade union congress of kenya tucke, an umbrella body for unions representing teachers, civil servants, lecturers and other workers, yesterday termed the new deductions as. Kenya electrical trades and allied workers union ketawu. Trade unions in nigeria started as voluntary organizations of workpeople aimed at. However, limited funds were cited as the main reason for lack of the organising policy. The agreements negotiated by the union leaders are binding on the rank and file members and the employer and in some cases on other nonmember workers. Central organization of trade unions cotu kenya, nairobi, kenya. Click here for the annual survey of violations of trade unions rights in zambia for 2011. Factors influencing the future existence of trade unions.
Mwamadzingo is a student of economics, having obtained bachelors and masters degree at the university of. Trade unions also advocate sound relations between employers and employees through the promotion and protection of freedom of association, collective bargaining agreements and dispute resolution. Issues of concern include the shrinking traditional base of trade unions in the formal sector. Trade unions and democracy in zambia democracy in africa. Some of the most important functions of the trade union are as follows. Primary data was collected using a semistructured questionnaire and thirty two out of the forty. Explain the various types of trade unions in the nation, that is kenya trade unionism in kenya types of trade unions despite the fact that the overall goals of every trade union are the same there exists different types of trade unions distributed throughout the whole labour force in kenya.
The following is a list of major independent trade unions, which are solely accountable to their members and free from employer domination as it stood on 31 march 2012. Trade union p lay g reat role in safeguarding employees from any form of discrimination or hara ssment in. The main object of trade unions is to regulate relations between employees and employers nzuve, 2007. They try to arrange facetoface meetings and thus try to establish contacts between the employees and the employers. More specifically, trade unions negotiate for wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits, workplace safety and policies. The central organization of trade unions, kenya cotu,k in collaboration with the friedrich ebert stiftung fes organised a two week global trade union school training.
The history of african trade unions in kenya illustrates the case of where for several years the settler elite was able to sabotage all efforts at permitting the growth of african trade unions and the introduction of industrial consultations. Few countries have unionization rates above 50 percent, while others have less. Central organization of trade unions cotuk solidarity. Teachers service commission v kenya national union of teachers and 3 others. The role of trade unions in industrial relations bizfluent. On 18 th october, the trade unions congress of kenya announced its support for lecturers in 31 kenyan public universities who have given 21 days strike strike the most common form of industrial action, a strike is a concerted stoppage of work by employees for a limited period of time. Jomo kenyatta foundation, 1998 industrial relations 179 pages. It works to build capacity in its affiliated unions and to promote continuing education for workers. Most of the trade unions have organising policies, strategies and departments according to the findings. Pages in category trade unions in kenya the following 5 pages are in this category, out of 5 total.
Trade unions have the potential to mobilise labour in a collective unit and, in doing so, to decrease the extent of the decisionmaking autonomy of the employer rust, 2001. Public services international is a global trade union federation representing 20 million working women and men who deliver vital public services in 163 countries. It was founded in 1965 upon the dissolution on the kenya federation of labour and the african workers congress. Central organization of trade unions cotu kenya home. Their primary role, however, is to engage in collective bargaining with their members. Every worker has a right to form, join or participate in the activities and programs of a trade union and leave a trade union. Workers organizations are experiencing serious difficulties almost everywhere and are losing members. International labour productivity improvement and the role.
Although their introduction was generally met with resistance, since their establishment trade unions have been important agents of social change worldwide. Associated society of locomotive engineers and firemen aslef. W m mutunga cj, k h rawal dcj, m k ibrahim, j b ojwang, s wanjala, scjj. The labour relations act, 2007 was passed to consolidate the law relating to trade unions.
Trade union means an association of employees whose principal purpose is to regulate the relations between employers and employees. One of the main aims of the organisation of workers into trade. Assessment of the state of trade unions in kenya by owidhi. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. More specifically, trade unions negotiate for wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers. Globalization has proved a complex and multifaceted process for workers around the world, as are the strategies they must develop to face its challenges. The total membership had risen from 274,126 in 1940 to about 900,000 in 1976 sonubi, 1986. In the 1960s, trade unions in africa were very instrumental in the struggle for independence across the continent. Trade unions have however fallen short of achieving their set objectives due to challenges that are both external and internal. Psi champions human rights, advocates for social justice and promotes universal access to quality public services. Development and the system of industrial relations.
The labour relations act defines a trade union as an association of employees whose principal purposed is to regulate relations between employees and employers, including any employers organisation. The central organization of trade unions cotu is a. Principal purpose of a trade union is to regulate relations between workers and employers. However, the modern conception of trade unions, in which unions represent a specific set of workers in negotiations with employers, dates back only to the 18th century. History of kenyas trade union movement, to 1952 makhan. Officially, trade unionism was registered in kenya 1934. It currently closely liaises with non governmental organizations of east africa trade union ngoeatu. An act of parliament to consolidate the law relating to trade unions and trade disputes, to provide for the registration, regulation, management and democratisation of trade unions and employers organisations or. Trade unions have been in existence for many years.
Cotu congress of trade unions kenya cpp convention peoples party csawuz civil servants and allied workers union of zambia csea civil servants employees association. The origins of trade unions can be found in guilds and fraternal organizations composed of people practicing a common trade, which date back hundreds of years. Summary of the dispute between the teachers service commission and the teachers trade unions. However, awareness of the distinct roles of the government and trade unions should be paramount. Unions are interested in the public control and planning of industry. General federation of trade unions uk scottish trades union congress. Section 4 of the act provides that every employee has the right to form and join a trade union. Increasing cooperation and wellbeing among workers ii. The labour relations act defines a trade union as an association of employees whose principal purposed is to regulate relations between employees and employers, including any employers. Click here for more of our coverage on zambian political developments. Establishing contacts between the workers and the employers iv. Labour relations act central organization of trade. Trade unions in present era of industrial development, perform two sets of functions.
A new ilo book examines some of the crucial issues facing the trade union movement. Productivity improvement and the role of trade unions in collaboration with. Many professions are unionized, including metal workers, airline pilots, game hunting and safari workers, jockeys and betting workers, journalists, and textile workers. After 1943, way up to 1945, the trend of industrial relations changed with the launch of international trade unionism the global movement dealing with trade unions, and the british trade union congress in particular played a crucial role in the kenyan trade unionism. Trade unions working for the progress of the employees v. Trade unions in kenya role, rights of workers trade. The central organisation of trade unions has some 40 affiliated trade unions, and represents around one million workers in kenya.
All about trade unions in kenya, trade unions and work and wages, trade unions and employers in kenya and more on africapay kenya. Central organization of trade unions kenya wikipedia. Trade unions in kenya, trade unions and work and wages. The study established that organising is the main stay of the unions. Unions are interested in having a voice in the government. This in turn relates to the capacity of trade unions to function as solid organizations that can defend, protect and advance the interests of workers and meet their expectations. The manager wants to join a trade union kenya employment law.
Cotu central organization of trade unions dda doha development agenda dfi development finance institutions eac east african community epas economic partnership agreements. Kenya ituc survey of violations of trade union rights. Basically, a trade union fights for better working conditions and remuneration for its members. During independence struggle, trade unions across the continent offered the most important platform for ordinary people to voice their frustrations and to demand for selfdetermination. The trade unions play an important role in bringing to the notice of the employers the difficulties and grievances of the employees. The trade union is a militant organisation designed to fight for the cause of the workers. Trade unions global crisis isbn 9789221249269 f the recent global economic crisis has debilitated labour in many parts of the world, many segments of the trade union movement have been fighting back, combining traditional and innovative strategies and articulating alternatives to the dominant political and economic models. This study was designed to investigate the challenges facing trade unions in kenya. To improve the terms and conditions of employment i.
Unions have a wider social role beyond simply the workplace and are essential to the functioning of a healthy democracy. Trywell kalusopa kwabena nyarko otoo hilma shindondolamote. From the study, it can be concluded that regulatory framework, organization structure, leadership styles and unionmanagement relations do affect the performance of trade unions in kenya. Central organization of trade unions kenyan labour. Other articles where central organization of trade unions is discussed.