Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 1152060,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1152060/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 31,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Musuruve",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13188,
        "legal_name": "Getrude Musuruve Inimah",
        "slug": "getrude-musuruve-inimah"
    },
    "content": "In the 1930s, the colonial Government had a slight change in policy. It allowed formation of unions but in a very restricted and limited way, as far as rights and operations of workers were concerned. Pioneers like Fred Kubai, Makhan Singh and Bildad Kaggia seized the opportunity to start trade unions. The first trade union in Kenya was the Indian Trade Union set up by Singh. It soon broadened to embrace all races and trades. The Union later became the Labour Trade Union of Kenya with Singh being Secretary General (SG) and Fred Kubai being president. I celebrate all pioneer Union leaders since Independence. The late Hon. Thomas Mboya who was the SGl of the Kenya Federation of Labour (KFL) negotiated on behalf of dock workers. He won them 33% pay increase in 1975. This was during the Dock Workers Union strike. Mr. Lubembe was the first SG of COTU in 1965. Together with Samuel Ayanya and Stephen Kiorie, they formed the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) in 1957. Juma Boy, SG of COTU who played a major role in getting funds for Mboya Labour College (MLBC) in Kisumu, Mugalla and Francis Atwoli. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as we celebrate the May Day, I encourage employers to provide their employees with conducive work environment and ensure they have access to it. Employers should also provide the necessary tools and equipment they need to do their work. They must pay their employees the salary and benefits they agreed to, including annual leave days during which they are entitled to full pay, without working and inclusive of all public holidays. Female employees are entitled to three months fully paid maternity leave on the birth of a child. I also encourage employers to be inclusive in their recruitments by ensuring that Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) are employed in their organisations, in order to leverage on organizational tax-exempt benefits that results from such moves. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I urge employers to orient their employees on their rights as provided in the Labour Relations Act which determines the rights of workers, employers and trade unions. In particular, it provides for the freedom of association, the right to join a trade union or employers’ organization, the right to engage in collective bargaining and so on. Happy belated Labor day to everyone."
}