Arzeki Mezhuod, Secretary General of OATUU,

Dr. Francis Atwoli, President,

Organization of African Trade Union Unity,

Distinguished Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the People of Kenya, the people of your founder Dennis Akumu, I welcome you all to our country. I am delighted to join you for this auspicious occasion of your 42nd Session of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU)General Council Meeting that we are very proud to hosted here in Nairobi, Kenya.

Indeed, I have been informed that we have very good attendance drawn from this Organization’s 73 Affiliates, representing all 54 African countries. I believe that this, indeed, is truly a Pan-African Organization.An organization that is also an embodiment of what is possible within Africa; our African tradition of coming together in unityso as to deliver positive change for allour peoples.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This Organizationis unique in that it is the only “Union of Unions of Unions”;the only one of its kind in Africa. I note with satisfaction, theaims and objectives of this body go beyond the usual narrow focuson onlythe interests of its membership, but rather encompasses wider and more noble goalssuch as promotingthe economic independenceas well as the prosperity of Africa.

To achieve this noble goal, I indeedurgeyour constituent Labour Organizationsto prioritize enhancingthe competitive advantagesof your respective countries.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Evidence is abound that astable labourmarket where industrial relations are cordial, allowsa nation to foster local business but also to attract foreign investment, far better than one plagued by never-ending cycles of industrial action and antagonism.

To achieve this dialogueinformed by realistic expectationsand pragmatismon the side of workers, matched by recognition andrespectfor the invaluable role played by workers on the part of the employer, is key.

That balance can and must be struck, so that Labour Unions are better positioned to address the emerging challenges of the 21stCentury.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

African Trade Unions must also contend with a new type of market-place, in which globalization and advancements in technology mean that every nation must jealously guard its own competitive advantage.

Inordinate increases in wage bills and staff costs are often the largest driver of the exit of business from these countries in favourof nations where wage bills and staff costs are lower. But I also firmly believe that the World must retain space for the worker, for the worker’s human dignity and fundamental right to earn a living; notwithstanding the great advances being made in technology.

To maintain this, Governments require assistance from Labour Organizations. Together, Government and Labour Organizations can deliver measures that ensure that, as far as possible, enterprises remain profitable and vibrant through the work of human hands.

African Labour Organizations must also be at the forefront of advocating for the free movement of goods, persons, labour and capital across our entire African continent.

This free movement within Africa was a large part of the dream that informed the formation of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU)in the year 1973; and this should not be forgotten.

I, therefore, call on the present leadership of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity to help build the bridges of unity andPan-Africanismbetween all the sons and daughters of this blessed continent. Especially as we usher in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) under the auspices of the African Union, we must begin laying the groundwork for even closer cooperation and integration in Africa. The surest pathto national as well as continental peace and prosperityis for the African nations to come together as one.

On the regional stage, my Administration has led by example in terms of promoting the free movement of goods, persons, labour and capital in the East African region and in Africa. In terms of labour, we eliminated work-barriers with respect to our East African brothers and sisters who may wish to work in Kenya. On entry, every African is also free to visit Kenya.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The People of Kenya understand that immigrant labour of our African brothers and sisters adds to rather than lessensour prosperity; the People of Kenya understand that the businesses and investments of our African brothers and sisters within our borders add vibrancy and vitality to our economy, while at the same time increasing opportunities for Kenyans to economically advance themselves.I therefore challenge you, my brothers and sisters of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU),to advocate for this stand in each and every country on our continent.

To that end I once again, as was done by our forefathers, recommit support to your organization through an annual grant of 200,000 US dollars to advance this great agenda.

Finally, let meconclude by thanking the organizers of this event, led by the President of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), our very own Francis Atwoli,for all your hard work together with your team and efforts towards making this a successful event.

And to you the delegates, I wish you very productive deliberations that will strengthen your organization, that will strengthen your respective country organizations, and will strengthen and give prosperity to your respective nations.

I hope you will also take time to enjoy andtour our City. We do hope that you will indeed enjoy your days in Nairobi and we look forward to welcoming you once again in the future. Nairobi and Kenya is your home.

I really just want to conclude and reiterate from one Pan-Africanist to several in this room, let us work together for our unity. It is very sad, it is very disheartening to see our sons and daughters struggle, lose life crossing the Mediterranean Sea, being humiliated in foreign lands because we cannot get together and grow our own prosperity and provide employment, a future and hope for them.

I truly believe that Kenya does not have the answer. But I do believe that together with our African brothers and sisters we can find the answer and the solutions if we come together. We are not each other’s enemy. We must learn that our solidarity, our collaboration is our prosperity and is our future. And that starts, first and foremost, with the African worker.

With those few remarks, it is my pleasure to declare your meeting open and to wish you every success in your deliberations.