By Obegi Malack
Magadi Road Zone Online Drivers Sacco members have been challenged to join workers union for protection of their rights, improvement of their wages and good working conditions.
Transport Workers Union Kenya (TAWU)had held a meeting with the Sacco members in Siron Place Ongata Rongai and educated them on importance of joining a union.
The Association and Sacco chairperson Julius Nyambok said the members will benefit a lot through the union and Sacco.
Nyambok said through the Sacco the drivers will benefit from government funds distributed through Saccos. Members will also get loans with cheap interest.
Nyambok said joining TAWU will also see them speak in one voice. The union has also education programs for empowerment of workers
TAWU is a labor movement for workers in road and air sectors of transport.
TAWU assistant general secretary Billy Mutoro said the members should partner with the union by joining to make their voices heard.
“We are not going to be able to fight the oppressive online App companies if we are not united and in a union,” he said.
The union trained the members on their rights and how to grow their Sacco and benefit from unions, they were also urged to invest with National Social Security (NSSF).
The union has now 35,000 members and is seeking to recruit more drivers from all 25 zones in Nairobi region.
The union had supported the drivers in pushing for implantation of regulations by NTSA, they represented the drivers in court against App companies, in a case that was later withdrawn by Uber company. The regulations on increase of drivers’ wages will be gazzetted soon by the national government.
Ongata Rongai ward representative Titus Matheka said the Kajiado county government will support the drivers by coming up with laws that give them a conducive environment to do business.
He urged the drivers to join the Sacco to receive funding from the national and county government.
