Editor's Review

"All private security companies are hereby directed to effective immediately stop deducting and remitting private security officers' trade union fees to the Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU." 

Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) CEO Fazul Mahamed has directed all private security firms to immediately stop the deductions and remittances of security guards’ monthly trade union fee contributions to the Central Organization of Trade Union, COTU.

In a statement on Monday, April 15, Mahamed said private security companies have for years deducted trade union fees from private security guards and subsequently remitted the said contributions to COTU but the union has not lived up to its mandate of fighting for their social and economic welfare.

“Notably, private security officers constitute a large percentage of COTU'S membership and despite their low salaries have faithfully contributed trade union fees to COTU for decades.

"Regrettably, notwithstanding their significant financial contributions, COTU has not lived up to its mandate and has persistently disregarded, declined, and/or neglected to advocate for their rights, advocate for compliance with minimum wage, and promote their general welfare,” read the statement in part.

File image of PRSA CEO Fazul Mahamed. 

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Following numerous complaints from private security officers, Mahamed ordered all private security firms to halt monthly remittances to COTU pending an ongoing investigation against the union.

The PRSA boss noted that a preliminary investigation by the authority established that private security officers have made contributions to COTU in the form of monthly trade union fees preliminary estimated at billions of shillings.

“Pending conclusion of the investigation, all private security companies are hereby directed to effective immediately stop deducting and remitting private security officers' trade union fees to the Central Organization of Trade Unions, COTU - Kenya. This directive shall remain in force until such a time the Authority expressly directs otherwise,” Mahamed ordered.

He warned that private security companies that continue to deduct and remit the said fees to COTU would be subjected to a statutory review of its registration and licensing status.