- Mutua underscored the government's commitment to ensuring safe and fair workplaces.
- He stated that the unit would play a crucial role in supporting victims and enforcing justice.
Image: FILE
Labour and Social Protection CS Alfred Mutua has announced the establishment of a new unit to address issues of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Mutua said the move will provide a platform for victims of sexual harassment who feel their concerns have not been adequately addressed.
He spoke at the University of Nairobi during the annual symposium of the Employment and Labour Relations Court on Monday.
The symposium was themed "The Role of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Fostering the Right to a World of Work Free from Violence and Harassment, Including Gender-Based Violence and Harassment."
Mutua underscored the government's commitment to ensuring safe and fair workplaces.
He stated that the unit would play a crucial role in supporting victims and enforcing justice.
The CS also pledged to push for the ratification of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 190, which focuses on the protection of workers against violence and harassment.
He stressed that his ministry is dedicated to establishing systems that promote fairness for both employees and employers.
"It's important that employers provide safe working environments, but conversely, workers must also ensure they are productive," he noted.
"Employees are not slaves to be treated inhumanely, and in the same breath, employers are not aid missionaries."
The CS called for fairness and prudence in the decisions rendered by the labour court, highlighting the significant impact of these rulings on economic growth and investor confidence.
He urged the court to maintain impartiality in all its judgments, advocating for respect in the workplace irrespective of gender, disability, or position.
Mutua spoke against romantic relationships in the workplace, particularly those involving power imbalances, such as relationships between superiors and their subordinates.
He emphasised the need for alternative dispute resolution methods to be enhanced to allow the courts to handle more pressing and complex cases.
During the symposium, CS Mutua joined Chief Justice Martha Koome in launching several key initiatives, including the Conciliation Training of Trainers Manual, the Registry Operations Manual, and the Employment and Relations Court Procedure Rules 2024.
These resources are aimed at strengthening the court's capacity to handle employment-related disputes and fostering a fairer working environment across the country.