The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has called on the Mr. Mwai Kibaki, who was declared winner of the country’s December 27 presidential election amidst claims of electoral fraud, to as matter of urgency engage in dialogue with workers and the opposition in order to stop the wave of sectarian violence which is believed to have cost the lives of some 300 people.
ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder, while discussing with newsmen on the electoral violence that have claimed the lives of workers and politicians in the country said, "The main political parties must sit down together immediately with the workers and politicians to work on ending the violence and intimidation.
"Central to this will be ensuring that the allegations of vote-rigging, which have been backed by independent observers, are fully investigated and dealt with so that the workers, the politicians and the entire people of Kenya can be sure that their democratic rights are fully respected"
The ITUC, while calling on the workforce in Kenya and its affiliate union for calm and tolerance, the Kibaki led government must initiate talks with the workers and the opposition for dialogue if government wants peace to reign in the country.
Ryder said "Workers seeking to better their lives through trade union activities in Kenya are facing rising levels of repression and intimidation in the county. Most shocking of all is the increase of some workers killed as a result of political violence in Kenya".
The labour leader, however, said that women workers in the country particular continued to face repression, given the exploitation of the mainly female workforce with numerous instances of dismissal and outright refusal by employers to recognise even the most fundamental rights of their employees.