- Add new comment
- 576 views
Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has called on opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) to reconsider its decision to push for boycott of products from some companies.
In a statement, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli termed the boycott calls as dangerous, saying the move would hurt workers.
“As workers, we are appealing to the Nasa leadership to consider that stand on the boycott in order to save jobs and create more employment for youth who are leaving our institutions. Cotu’s economic and research department findings indicate that because of Raila’s influence on Kenyans across the country, the boycott on those basic commodities including Safaricom’s services, Kenya stands to lose between 70,000 and 100,000 jobs and that is why we are appealing to the Nasa leadership to rethink that call,” he said on Monday.
Last week, NASA asked supporters to boycott services and products from Safaricom, Bidco - a leading supplier of edible oils and detergents, and Brookside Dairies - a company associated with President Uhuru's family.
NASA links Safaricom to the rigging of cancelled August 8th election, claims that NASA denies.
Nasa has said it will push for the boycott of products from companies supporting the Jubilee administration. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Nasa will extend the boycott to cover other firms that worked with Jubilee to subvert the will of Kenyans on the ballot.
On Monday, Raila led other NASA leaders in switching their allegiance from Safaricom to its main rival, Airtel.
In a press briefing on Monday, Safaricom Dealers Association lamented the boycott move by NASA, and warned that over one million jobs could be ruined as a result. “
This call is likely to affect all business. Since and during the campaign period we have even at the individual dealer level, experienced a decline. We can almost with certainty say that the politics as they go they are effecting the common mwanachi including us,” Safaricom dealers chair Esther Muchemi said at a press briefing on Monday.
Comments
Guest. Everyone knows INBREEDS between GIKUYU and His 9 Daughters. They're are DIM Wits to say the least. Evena MUTAHI Ngunyi and His Grandpa) are my Witnesses.
Atwoli is just exaggerating the effect. He is a NASA sympathizer and wants Raila to have a nusu mkate.
Mugi. You wish; but Raila Already Hit Jubilee Sponsors UNDER the BELT; where it Hurts Most.
The full effect of a boycott has not been thought through by any party. The potential opportunity cost, where multi nationals shy away from investing in Kenya, threatens GDP growth and job creation significantly. The eroding of the social fabric, can result in devastation for the micro economic business set-up; mass layoffs, discrimination and furthering of injustice.
That is exactly what Raila is hoping for. Every one in Kenya to hurt for denying him enough votes to be president. Problem is his idiots will not realise till it's too late that they were among the most affected, having lost all the jobs and chances too.
Chill Mr Atwoli, this boycott is equivalent to when say your grandson tells you he is going on a hunger strike until guka buys him iphone x. Do you take him seriously? You know very well the boy is up the middle of the night hogging everything in the fridge and in the cupboard.
Everybody knows jalous are materialistic so they will still spend that money. I would be worried if they said they are not going to buy any milk products, or use any cellphone technology whatsoever etc. Every kenyan is free to choose different brands everytime we go shopping. Jaluos will still use cellphones, drink milk and fry fish. Why is this even news?