The Central Organisation of Trade Unions has called for a renewed social contract to ensure that rights of workers are protected.
Speaking during a plenary session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli said social justice is an imperative and essential tool for economic growth and peace and stability.
The ILC is the International Labour Organisation’s highest decision-making body.
“Adopting and implementing a renewed Social Contract would make sure that workers’ rights are respected, social dialogue becomes the corms in these times of multiple transitions, jobs are decent with minimum living wages and collective bargaining, social protection are enforced,” Atwoli said.
The notion of a social contract is broadly understood as agreement between societal groups and their government on their rights and obligations towards each other.
Social contract is the implicit (suggested) or at times explicit understanding of collective responsibilities towards each other.
It is expressed in the norms, collective institutions and policies that fulfil the promise that “all human beings, irrespective of race, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity”.
The promise is based on the Declaration of Philadelphia.
Atwoli said over the years, many people across regions were losing trust in the way governance is exercised, whether at the national or international levels.
“People feel disillusioned and abandoned since they are not benefitting from the gains of our economic progress. This trend is unsustainable and does not portend well for humanity,” Atwoli said.
Atwoli reiterated the need for robust investment in social protection infrastructure.
Cotu (K) will continue emphasising on the importance of the ILO to work together with governments, to ensure this not only in Kenya but many other countries of the world.
