The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has urged the government to intervene following the persistent increase of fuel prices, saying it is hurting workers and increasing the cost of doing business.
Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli in a statement warned that if the government has no capacity to intervene and lower the prices, the workers union through its national delegates’ conference will equally demand for higher wages to compensate for the high prices of essential commodities.
“We are tired of reports of increase in oil and petroleum costs every month as fuel prices increase too. These increases have spiral effects since the cost of production for business increases too. Further, the increase in cost of energy triggers inflation thus lowering the purchasing power of workers,” Mr Atwoli said.
“Failure by the government to cushion workers against this increases, then let it be prepared for direct confrontation from workers in demand for pay increase from the entire labour fraternity and all sectors of the economy,” added Mr Atwoli.
HIKED FARES
The umbrella workers union wants the government to cushion workers who bear the cost of increased fares as public transport normally takes advantage of the increase in fuel prices to hike fares.
Mr Atwoli urged the government to live up to its promise of provision of cheap energy saying stability in oil and petrol prices is essential for economic growth.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on Sunday revised upwards the maximum cost of fuel drivers will pay at the pump.
According to the monthly review, super petrol will retail at Sh106.30 in Nairobi after a Sh2.13 increase, diesel goes up by Sh2.39 and kerosene also goes up by Sh3.36.
This is the fifth month in a row that ERC has raised the maximum pump prices in the country, putting a strain in the pockets of Kenyans who are grappling with the high cost of living.
FUELPRICES UP
The upward adjustment in pricing will see kerosene, which is largely used by the urban poor and rural households, retail at Sh72.01 per litre in Mombasa, Sh74.78 in Nairobi, Sh75.62 in Nakuru, Sh76.69 in Eldoret and Kisumu, Sh78. 77 in Isebania and Sh88.59 in Mandera for the next one month.
Super petrol, will be cheapest in Mombasa at Sh103.01 per litre.
In Nairobi, it will be sold at Sh106.30, Sh114.55 in Wajir, Sh120 in Mandera, Sh106 in Nakuru and 108.17 and 108.24 respectively in Eldoret and Kisumu.
For diesel, retailers will sell the commodity at Sh91.55 per litre in Mombasa, Sh94.82 in Nairobi, Sh103 in Wajir, Sh108.63 in Mandera, Sh95.74 in Nakuru, Sh96.92 in Eldoret and 96.99 in Kisumu
The commission attributed the high prices to an increase in landed costs of the total price of a product once it has arrived at a buyer’s door, including the original price, transportation fees, inland and ocean levies customs, duties, taxes, insurance, currency conversion, crating, handling and payment fees.