This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
On September 18, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the 42nd General Council of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (Oatuu) in Nairobi, urging African labour unions to promote free movement of labour, goods, and capital across the continent.
According to Uhuru, his administration had eliminated non-tariff barriers between Kenya and other East African countries, a move he said would promote free trade in the region.
“It is very sad and disheartening to see our sons and daughters lose lives while crossing the Mediterranean and get humiliated in foreign lands because Africans cannot come together and create opportunities for the future,” Uhuru said.
He also announced that the Kenyan Government would donate an annual grant of Sh20 million to Oatuu in support of the organization's initiatives.
Commenting on the recent xenophobic attacks in some African countries, Uhuru said Kenyans understand that migrant labour empowers rather than inhibits economic success.
“Kenyans understand that businesses and investments from our African brothers and sisters within our borders bring vibrancy and vitality to our economy,” Uhuru said.
However, Cotu Chairman Francis Atwoli called on President Kenyatta to improve the wages of Kenyan workers, saying that the President should take measures to adjust the minimum wage bill to better the welfare of workers.
