The recent directive issued by the Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) ordering private security companies to cease contributions to the Central Organisation for Trade Unions (COTU) has sent shockwaves through the industry. The move, which took effect immediately, comes after PSRA accused COTU secretary general francis Atwoli of failing to advocate for the rights of security workers despite their significant membership and financial contributions.
In a statement released by PSRA CEO Fazul Mahamed, it was highlighted that COTU had not fulfilled its mandate of ensuring that security workers received a minimum wage as proposed. This failure to address the concerns of its 1.3 million security worker members led to the decision to halt all contributions to the union.
The authority also revealed that an investigation had been launched into the collection and use of the funds deducted from security workers. Preliminary findings indicated that billions of shillings had been contributed to COTU by its security worker members.
PSRA warned private security firms that any organization found to be in violation of the directive risked having their license revoked. This stern warning serves as a reminder to all companies in the industry to comply with the new regulations set forth by the regulatory authority.
The decision to cease contributions to COTU comes at a time when the government has rejected PSRA’s proposal to have security firms pay their workers a minimum of Ksh30,000 monthly. This rejection further emphasizes the need for a strong and effective advocacy body for security workers, which COTU has failed to provide.
As the private security industry grapples with this new directive, it is essential for companies to adhere to the regulations set by PSRA to avoid any potential repercussions. The future of contributions to COTU remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the rights and welfare of security workers must be prioritized and protected.
