Trade unions in transformation is an fes project that identifies unions power re. Trade unions in transformation is an fes project that identifies unions power resources and capabilities that contribute to successful trade union action. Pdf we discuss in this study the problems of mobilization and effectiveness faced by kenyan trade unions. Throughout contemporary history, trade unions have played a crucial role in making workplaces safer. Objectives, function, formation, regulation, rights and liabilities. Theories relating to introduction of trade unions, history of trade unions in finland and collective agreement in finland was presented in the beginning of the theoretical study and general information about industrial relations were also presented. The link between the anticolonial struggle and trade unionism was strengthened by the involvement of many trade union delegates at the 5th pan african congress. Challenges facing trade unions in the modern society are also discussed in this section. In the first section, we will briefly discuss the history of trade unions, just to give the reader an idea of how it all started. 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. However, the informal sector has had little involvement of the trade unions. 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 history of african trade unions in kenya illustrates the case of. In kenya, trade unions and employers must sign a recognition agree. 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. During that year there was a big strike in the port of mombasa.
The first trade union in kenya was the indian trade union formed in 1914 in mombasa. 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. Provided that nothing in this act shall i affect a any agreement between partners as to their own business. Its national origins were rooted in colonial capitalism, which had been. Trade unions faq and the labour laws in kenya kenya. The colonial history of kenya dates from the berlin conference of 1885 when east africa was first divided into territories of influence by the european powers.
General federation of trade unions uk scottish trades union congress. Trade unions in kenya history of kenyas trade union movement to 1952. These early organizations were not, however, involved in many industrial conflicts, their primary activity being the organizing of mutual help among its members. In 1947, kenyans became actively involved in trade unions. This study was designed to investigate the challenges facing trade unions in kenya. An analysis of womens participation in trade union. Currently, it can be estimated that approximately 4 million workers in kenya belong to trade unions. History of cotuk central organization of trade unions. Trade unions have however fallen short of achieving their set objectives due to challenges that are both external and internal.
Cotu k was founded in 1965 upon dissolution of the kenya. However, for many people these higher rates of pay were offset by the cost of living rising faster than basic wages, but at the same time mitigated. Apr 19, 2012 officially, trade unionism was registered in kenya 1934. Labour law, the varied body of law applied to such matters as employment, remuneration, conditions of work, trade unions, and industrial relations. The early trade unions in kenya were formed along racial lines though all form them aimed at addressing labour problems that faced workers. Central organization of trade unions kenya wikipedia. The genesis of trade unionism in zambia dates back to the time of the start of mining on the copperbelt after huge deposits of copper were discovered in the region in the 1920s leading to. Most of the trade unions have organising policies, strategies and departments according to the findings.
But by april 1935, it was decided to make the union nonracial and to change the name to the labour trade union of kenya. Its national origins were rooted in colonial capitalism, which had been characterized by the use of cheap or forced african labor. The paper looks at the challenges facing trade unions currently and provides possible recommendations to enhance trade unionization in kenya. Trade unionism in kenya had a shared history with its european colonial antecedents. The labour relations act represents the main legal foundation for collective bargaining and labour relations. To improve the terms and conditions of employment i. 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. Second, it examines the determinants of who actually belongs to a trade union across oecd countries. A trade union is an association of workers formed to protect the interest of workers. Officially, trade unionism was registered in kenya 1934. In 1937, asian workers founded the asiatic labour union, leading to the founding of numerous unions in the country.
In the united states for example, trade unions were fundamental to the development and passage of the occupational safety and health act in 1970. As the most important african mass organisations of that time, unions very often had a decisive share in the national liberation struggle. Third it estimates the effects of unions on relative wages. The proposed study is expected to make a significant contribution to. The first tanganyikan trade union, the motor drivers union, was founded in 1927.
Trade unions in kenya, trade unions and work and wages, trade. The british government founded the east african protectorate in 1895 and soon after, opened the fertile highlands to white settlers. History of kenya from precolonial period to today kenya. Labour, labour movements, trade unions and strikes great. During the emergency the kenya trade union movement found itself. The first world war had the impact on trade union membership of a big upturn in a trade cycle. Fourth, it explores the extent to which unions are able to influence hours of work. More specifically, trade unions negotiate for wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers, benefits, workplace safety and policies.
Unlike the laws of contract, tort, or property, the elements of labour law are somewhat less homogeneous than the rules governing a particular legal. Trade unions in kenya role, rights of workers trade. It was also to prove an important development for publishing in kenya. The study established that organising is the main stay of the unions. Kenya implying increasing levels of poor industrial and labour relations in kenyas history. Indeed, by 1987 the african labour movement, the form of in the congress of south african trade unions cosatu, was the single most powerful organised formation in the antiapartheid struggle in south africa3.
Mainly, the challenges discussed here are related to. Kenya, trade union movement, repertoires of action, narrative resources. All about trade unions in kenya, trade unions and work and wages, trade unions and employers in kenya and more on africapay kenya. Whether temporary or permanent, primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workers and employers or between workers for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business and includes the federations of two or more trade unions. Kusu affiliated to the newly formed trade union congress of kenya tucke. Apr 19, 2012 the objectives of trade unions in kenya1. In its most comprehensive sense, the term includes social security and disability insurance as well. Trade unions in kenya, trade unions and work and wages. History of trade unionism in zambia zambia daily mail. Assessment of the state of trade unions in kenya by owidhi george otieno 1. 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. Whether temporary or permanent, primarily for the purpose of regulating the relations between workers and employers or between workers for imposing restrictive conditions on the conduct of any trade or business and includes the federations of two.
With the emerging resistance against colonial rule, african trade unions rather quickly emancipated from their european centres. 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. This move was mostly supported by the unions, although some aspects of it were criticized, especially the extent of the powers of the registrar of trade unions. History of cotuk the central organization of trade unions, cotu k is the national trade union center in kenya. Trade union services and benefits in africa edited by. Schurman et al 1998 and the coal mine health and safety act in 1969. Trade unions in the english speaking colonies emerged after the first world war, as a form of organised resistance to some of the economic and social excesses of british colonial rule. The trade unions draw their membership from various sectors of the economy. Most have focused on the representatives of labour, trade unions in specific. Today we have in the main african trade unions in kenya, with a few asian unions, the oldest and most important of which is the asian railway union. It was founded in 1965 upon the dissolution on the kenya federation of labour and the african workers congress.
Trade union education and research work in kenya present. Trade unions in many african countries played a muscular and seminal role in the late 1980s and early 1990s in mobilizing the mass protests and strikes that led to the overthrow of old. This paper is informed by the escalating decline in the quality of industrial and labour relations. The role of trade unions has changed significantly over the past 30 years. Unlike the laws of contract, tort, or property, the elements of labour law are somewhat less. It is often alleged that the weakness of french trade unions in mobilisations is due, in part, to poor cohesion between and within the union movements le queue and sainsaulieu, 2010. Assessment of the state of trade unions in kenya by owidhi.
Several efforts have been devoted to examining african labour history from different angles and persuasions. Cotu k was founded in 1965 upon dissolution of the kenya federation of labor and the african workers congress kfl awc. Africa, we can say that part of our history points to the importance played by organisations of workers in the fall of apartheid. Primary data was collected using a semistructured questionnaire and thirty two out of the forty. Mar 03, 2015 into the challenges faced by the trade unions in kenya and accommodate the possible interventions that could be employed to enhance the unions effectiveness in the policies to be formulated. Pdf the depletion of narrative resources in the kenyan trade. In the civil service there are three workers associations, one for europeans, asians and africans respectively. Challenges facing trade unions in the modern society the. Trade union, also called labor union, an association of workers in a particular trade, industry, or company created for the purpose of securing improvements in pay, benefits, working conditions, or social and political status through collective bargaining. Trywell kalusopa kwabena nyarko otoo hilma shindondolamote. Associated society of locomotive engineers and firemen aslef.
Summary, conclusion and recommendations references annex i. The central organization of trade unions, cotu k is the national trade union center in kenya. However, limited funds were cited as the main reason for lack of the organising policy. Pdf what are the main challenges faced by trade unions. Roger scotts history of the development of trade unions in uganda, published 1966. The central organization of trade unions cotu is a national trade union center in kenya.
In the 1960s, trade unions in africa were very instrumental in the struggle for independence across the continent. Trade unions in kenya role, rights of workers trade unions. Trade unions in kenya history of kenyas trade union movement. Labour in african history trends and organisational forms. It currently closely liaises with non governmental organizations of east africa trade union ngoeatu. The act allows any twenty workers to found a trade union and any two unions to create a national center. The kenyan workers embarked on long talks with government and in october 1962, a landmark was established with the signing of the industrial relations charter by the government of kenya, the federation of kenya employers and the kenya federation of labor, the forerunner of cotu k, the central organization of trade unions kenya. The final part presents some conclusions and policy recommendations. The history of the trade union movement in kenya dates as far back as the thirties. As a result, in october 1962, a landmark was established with the signing of the industrial relations charter by the government of kenya, the federation of kenya employers and the kenya federation of labour, the forerunner of cotu k, the central organisation of trade unions kenya. History of cotuk central organization of trade unions cotuk. Upto 1914, there existed no african trade union in kenya because of the following reasons.
The new law combines two earlier laws, namely the trade disputes act and the trade unions act. Early trade unions included the indian trade union mombasa and nairobi. More specifically, trade unions negotiate for wages, work rules, complaint procedures, rules governing hiring, firing and promotion of workers. Trade unionism in kenya south african history online. It is, thus, clear that no agency formed or promoted to look after the interests of the workers can be a real substitute for trade unions. For the purpose of this article we shall confine ourselves to the postwar years.
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