Atwoli wants Kenya Power employees on contracts to be given permanent and pensionable jobs

Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has called on the Energy Ministry to ensure that employees on contracts or casual are given permanent and pensionable jobs.

Speaking when he met with the Energy CS Monica Juma at Kawi House in Nairobi on Wednesday, Atwoli noted that Kenya Power has many employees who have been working as casual workers and thus the lack of vibrancy and passion from many of their staff.

“This negatively affects the company and the only way to restore the lost glory of Kenya Power is by having their staff motivated through employment on permanent and pensionable terms,” Atwoli said.

Atwoli was accompanied by the Kenya Electrical Trades and Allied Workers Union (KETAWU) SG Ernest Nadome and other union officials from COTU (K).

Some of the major issues raised and discussed were concerns on the purported redundancy of staff at Kenya Power, stalled promotion of staff, and conversion of casual employees into permanent and pensionable status.

Nadome noted that there is a serious shortage of staff at Kenya Power, causing a backlog of connectivity, and it is, therefore, unwise for the management to think about retrenching some of their workers.

Also, Nadome raised concerns over the promotion of long-serving employees at Kenya Power who have been working in one Job Group for more than 15 years.

Juma indicated that the turnaround of Kenya Power was only going to be successful if they focus on workers.

The CS  reiterated the ministry’s commitment to open up more engagement with unions and workers.