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Who Is The Owner Of Cotp
The Central Organization of Trade Unions, commonly known as COTU, is a trade union organization in Kenya. It was founded in 1965 and is currently led by its Secretary-General, Francis Atwoli. COTU represents workers in various industries in Kenya, including agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare. In this article, we will delve into the history of COTU, its role in Kenya's labor movement, and its ownership.
The History Of COTU
COTU's history can be traced back to the 1930s when the first trade unions were formed in Kenya. During this time, the trade unions were largely based on ethnicity and occupation. However, in 1962, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) was formed, which unified the trade unions and gave them a common voice.
In 1965, COTU was formed as an umbrella organization for all trade unions in Kenya. Its main objective was to promote and protect the welfare of workers in Kenya. At its inception, COTU had only seven unions and a membership of around 40,000. Today, COTU has over 40 unions and a membership of over two million.
COTU's Role In Kenya's Labor Movement
COTU has played a significant role in Kenya's labor movement. It has been instrumental in negotiating better working conditions and wages for workers in various industries. COTU has also been involved in advocating for the rights of workers, including the right to strike.
In addition, COTU has been actively involved in politics. It has supported political parties and candidates who are friendly to the labor movement. COTU has also been involved in pushing for labor-friendly policies and legislation.
COTU's Structure
COTU is a democratic organization that is run by its members. It has a hierarchical structure that is made up of the National Delegates Conference (NDC), the Central Executive Board (CEB), and the Secretariat.
The NDC is the highest decision-making body in COTU. It is made up of delegates from all the unions that are affiliated to COTU. The NDC meets once every five years to elect the CEB and make decisions on the direction of COTU.
The CEB is responsible for implementing the decisions made by the NDC. It is made up of the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, the Assistant Secretary-General, and other members. The CEB meets regularly to discuss issues affecting workers and make decisions.
The Secretariat is the administrative arm of COTU. It is responsible for day-to-day operations, including organizing meetings and events, managing finances, and communicating with members.
COTU's Ownership
COTU is owned by its members, who are trade unions in various industries in Kenya. These unions pay affiliation fees to COTU, which is used to fund the organization's activities.
COTU is also funded by the government. The government provides funding to COTU to support its activities, including conducting research on labor-related issues and providing training to union officials.
Challenges Facing COTU
Despite its achievements, COTU faces several challenges. One of the major challenges is the fragmentation of the labor movement. There are numerous trade unions in Kenya, and some of them are not affiliated to COTU. This has weakened COTU's bargaining power, making it difficult to negotiate better working conditions and wages for all workers.
Another challenge facing COTU is the lack of political will to implement labor-friendly policies and legislation. The government has been slow to pass laws that protect workers' rights, including the right to strike. This has made it difficult for COTU to achieve its objectives.
Conclusion
COTU is a vital organization in Kenya's labor movement. It has played a significant role in negotiating better working conditions and wages for workers in various industries. COTU is owned by its members, who are trade unions in Kenya. Despite its achievements, COTU faces several challenges, including the fragmentation of the labor movement and the lack of political will to implement labor-friendly policies and legislation.
