Migrating for Work Should Not Mean Losing Dignity, COTU Tells Labour Court Symposium

The Central Organization of Trade Unions of Kenya, COTU-K, has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of migrant workers, insisting that crossing a border for work should never mean surrendering dignity, labour rights or access to justice.

COTU-K was part of the 4th Employment and Labour Relations Annual Symposium and Exhibition (ELRASE IV), convened by the Employment and Labour Relations Court at Strathmore University, Nairobi, from September 16 to 18, 2026.

The three-day symposium was held under the theme: "Labour Migration and Access to Justice: Strengthening Judicial Responses to Inclusive and Effective Labour Justice Systems."

Addressing the symposium, COTU-K Deputy Secretary General Bro. Benson Okwaro MBS* challenged the Judiciary to continue building jurisprudence that protects workers across borders.

"The rights guaranteed to workers cannot simply disappear just because someone has crossed an international border for work," Bro. Okwaro told delegates.

He reminded participants that labour migration, if well managed, is a driver of development, but if left unregulated, it becomes a pipeline for exploitation and human trafficking.

Bro. Okwaro further renewed COTU's call for genuine tripartism in labour migration policy, arguing that workers and employers must shape decisions from the start and not be brought in only to rubber-stamp policies at the end.

He noted that exploitation of migrant workers often starts at home, at the recruitment stage, through exorbitant fees charged by rogue agencies and lack of proper pre-departure information.

At the close of the symposium, Bro. Okwaro signed the symposium communique on behalf of COTU-K, reaffirming the workers' umbrella body's commitment to walk with workers through the entire migration journey - from recruitment, to employment abroad, and reintegration upon return.

COTU-K was ably represented by its Deputy Secretary General, Bro. Benson Okwaro, MBS.