Francis Atwoli, the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General, on Wednesday, September 13 pushed for the inclusion of workers in the Energy Regulatory and Petroleum Authority (EPRA) board.
In a statement, Atwoli argued that having workers representatives on the board will ensure their concerns are considered when revising electricity prices in the country and other forms of energy.
“First, having a representative from COTU (K) on the EPRA board will ensure that the concerns of workers are considered in regulatory decisions that affect energy pricing. COTU (K) represents the interests of workers across various sectors, including those in the energy industry,” Atwoli stated.
“Given the significant impact of electricity prices on workers and their households, workers must be represented on the EPRA Board,” he added.
While defending their inclusion in parliament, Atwoli noted that COTU has energy experts who would help EPRA negotiate for friendly electricity prices with the companies involved in the energy sector.
“Second, COTU (K) provides valuable insights into the social and economic implications of electricity pricing decisions. Representing workers, who are a significant segment of consumers, can help balance the need for affordable electricity with the financial viability of energy companies.
Third, COTU (K) has experts in the energy sector who can contribute valuable expertise to the EPRA board. Their knowledge of labour issues and the energy market can enrich discussions and lead to more informed decisions,” Atwoli noted.
To promote transparency, Atwoli urged the government to heed to their call and include workers representative to EPRA’s board. The move according to the COTU boss would also rebuild public trust lost due to the sharp rise in electricity and fuel in the last two years.
“COTU (K) will act as a liaison between workers and EPRA, fostering better communication and understanding of each other’s perspectives. The inclusion of COTU (K) representatives will promote collaboration and constructive dialogue in decision-making processes.
Finally, the inclusion of diverse key players like COTU (K) in the EPRA board enhances transparency in regulatory decisions. It ensures that the interests of different segments of society are taken into account, fostering greater public trust in the regulatory process,” Atwoli insisted.
His sentiments were supported by some members of parliament who argued that COTU’s inclusion will help voice concerns raised by local people regarding energy pricing in the country.
Electricity costs went up from April 1 in the wake of tariff reviews that saw prices jump by between 15 per cent and 20 per cent while the cost of fuel significantly went up after the doubling of Value Added Tax (VAT) to 16 per cent three months later.
