Central
Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has
been awarded by the Algerian government for his "exemplary efforts in
the fight for the rights of the African workers."
Mr Atwoli was conferred the National Order of Merit by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria.
Mr Atwoli was
recognised for his "improvement of their living standards as well as his
selfless efforts towards uniting the African labour movement under the
Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU).
The ceremony was
conducted by President Bouteflika's personal aide Akka Mohammed Salah in
the presence of Kenya's ambassador in Algiers Bonface Munzala.
Mr Salah said:
"Algeria recognises our big brother Atwoli for his efforts and the pain
he has to go through everyday fighting for workers on this continent."
Mr Atwoli dedicated
the award to the working men and women on the continent saying the
recognition "has just rejuvenated his resolve to even fight harder" for
both the Kenyan and African workers "towards sustainable social justice
for all".
It is the highest
Algerian award to be ever bestowed upon a non-Algerian citizen and the
first ever to be awarded to a trade union leader both in Algeria or
elsewhere.
The National Order
of Merit is awarded to eminent civil, military or public service of
Algeria and for exceptional service in the cause of the revolution. It
was instituted on 2nd January, 1984.
OATUU, of which is
presided by Mr Atwoli, is the umbrella Pan African Trade Union
organisation on the continent with headquarters in Accra Ghana and
started in 1973.