Kenyan Trade Unions Demand Worker Inclusion in AfCFTA Rollout
The Central Organization of Trade Unions Kenya (COTU-K) has called for the inclusion of workers’ rights in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) due to the growing protectionist policies and shifting global trade dynamics.
Speaking on Thursday during a press briefing, COTU second Assistant Secretary General Carolyn Chepkoech Rutto on behalf of the union warned that without a rights-based approach, the agreement could deepen inequalities and exploit workers instead of fostering inclusive economic growth.
“As COTU-K we strongly affirm that trade union rights and workers’ voices must be fully integrated into AfCFTA’s implementation framework,” she said.
She noted that the economic policies pursued by U.S. President Donald Trump and the trade approaches of Western countries have urged that African nations must prioritize intra-African trade to achieve economic self-reliance.
According to their statement, she said that COTU-K in collaboration with ITUC-Africa, has been engaging the Government of Kenya and the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry to formally integrate trade unions into Kenya’s AfCFTA National Implementation Committee (NIC).
The union emphasizes that, workers are the backbone of trade since every sector benefiting from AfCFTA relies on labor, both formal and informal for production, distribution, and service delivery, trade agreements must create jobs, not just profits since without proper labor safeguards, AfCFTA could exploit workers, and exclude vulnerable groups such as women and youth.
Additionally, the union emphasized that transparency in trade negotiations is essential to enable workers to have access to trade and investment texts to ensure agreements align with decent work principles and social protection standards.
The trade union is urging the Kenyan government to reform its trade negotiation processes to guarantee inclusivity, transparency, and accountability. Specifically, COTU (K) demands.
“Kenya must reform its trade negotiation processes to ensure inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, she said calling on the Government to reform the processes including engagement of trade unions in trade negotiations, inclusion of a labor chapter in AfCFTA protocols to advocate for core International Labour Organization (ILO) standards in AfCFTA agreements to protect workers from exploitation.
Other reforms include social protection and just transition measures to ensure that trade liberalization must not leave workers behind, hence social protection should be enhanced in place to cushion against economic shock and job losses.
According to their statement, COTU-K has reaffirmed its commitment to standing in solidarity with workers across Africa, asserting that AfCFTA should not be a tool for corporate expansion at the expense of laborers but should serve as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth, industrialization, and job creation.
“There is no trade without workers,” COTU-K declared, urging the Government of Kenya to act swiftly in securing the rightful place of trade unions in shaping the future of trade in Africa.
