Labour Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua announced a new unit to tackle workplace sexual harassment during the annual symposium of the Employment and Labour Relations Court at the University of Nairobi yesterday.
The new unit, to be established within his ministry, aims to provide a platform for victims of sexual harassment who feel their concerns have not been properly addressed. Dr. Mutua made this announcement during the symposium, which was themed “The Role of the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Fostering the Right to a World of Work Free from Violence and Harassment, Including Gender-Based Violence and Harassment.”
Dr. Mutua emphasized the government’s commitment to creating safe and fair workplaces. “This unit will play a crucial role in supporting victims and enforcing justice,” he stated.
He also pledged to advocate for the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 190, which focuses on protecting workers against violence and harassment.
Dr. Mutua highlighted the importance of promoting fairness for both employees and employers. “It’s important that employers provide safe working environments, but conversely, workers must also ensure they are productive,” he said. “Employees are not slaves to be treated inhumanely, and in the same breath, employers are not aid missionaries.”
He called for fairness and prudence in the decisions of the labour court, noting the impact these rulings have on economic growth and investor confidence. “The court must maintain impartiality in all its judgments,” he urged, advocating for respect in the workplace irrespective of gender, disability, or position.
