Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has responded to claims about staff mistreatment, unfair payment, sexual harassment and a myriad of other issues raised in an anonymous expose by a local blogger.
Through social media, the organisation slammed all these allegations, noting that a recently fired employee was behind the sensational exposé.
“The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), wishes to categorically refute the malicious and defamatory claims recently circulated on social media by an individual with ill intent to tarnish the union’s reputation,” part of the statement read.
The whistleblower complained about unexplained salary delays over the past few months despite management taking several work trips. The complainant also raised issues with salary-biased promotions and salary increments.
However, COTU clarified these allegations, stating that there had indeed been a salary delay when one former payroll accountant attempted to manipulate the payroll to increase his salary fraudulently.
According to the statement by COTU, this individual was also believed to be behind these allegations of staff mistreatment. Reportedly, this delay was a close result of this fraudulent activity, but it was resolved once he was relieved of his duties.
Atwoli also criticized the allegations, noting, “Influencers like Nyakundi should confirm their facts before sharing false information.”
The complainant also alleged that the staff had been forced to join an unnamed SACCO, which the employees did not know any details about. “Nobody knows where that SACCO is, who its officials are, or even its physical location — but we are still forced to be deducted,” he noted.
Another allegation COTU denied was unfair and unexplained employee dismissal. The expose had listed five recently fired employees. COTU therefore listed all the reasons each one was fired including one who left to join the National Employment Authority and another who took up a role in a Tanzanian organisation closely working with COTU.
The third was a Nigerian who wanted to reunite with her family while the other one reportedly resigned for personal reasons.
ALSO READ: Ex-NTV Reporter Appeals to Ruto After Missing Top Government Job