Atwoli meets ILO Director General Guy Ryder

and held discussions on a range of both local and international issues of mutual interest between Kenya and the ILO as well as the role of trade unions in Africa and its contribution to the continent’s economic and social development with the Director General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Mr. Guy Ryder.

Particularly, Mr. Atwoli centered his briefs to the Director General on the need for the ILO to establish a regional office in Nairobi as have done similar United Nations Agencies that will cater for East and Central Africa regions and boost the activities of the ILO in the region.

Similarly, Mr. Atwoli requested the Director General to enhance the ILO funding towards various projects in Kenya including extending particular support in training for both employers and workers in the energy and mining sectors as key sectors expected to spur economic growth in the country.

Strengthening of workers education in Kenya as well as the need for the ILO to give special attention towards employing more Africans at its headquarters in Geneva in senior positions also came up during the two hours meeting.

In response, the Director General committed himself to personally addressing Mr. Atwoli’s requests to the ILO and remained positive bearing in mind that Kenya as a county supported his candidature as the Director General of the ILO last year and appreciated the important role played by the Secretary General, Mr. Francis Atwoli in mobilizing the African continent workers, employers and governments in voting for him.

Mr. Ryder while recalling his working tenure in the International Trade Union Movement with Mr. Atwoli for 10 years, further observed that the ILO as a United Nations Agency, was fully committed to working closely with all the social partners on the African continent as the requests made to him by Mr. Atwoli were on behalf of all Kenyans as well as the entire continent of Africa.

Hon. George Muchai, MBS
Ag. SECRETARY GENERAL