NAIROBI, Kenya— Francis Atwoli is back at it again—re-elected as deputy president of the Commonwealth Trade Union Group (CTUG), solidifying his position as one of the most influential voices in the global labor movement.
The long-serving Secretary General of Kenya’s Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU-K) secured a unanimous vote on Monday, earning another term in the top echelons of international worker advocacy.
The CTUG is a heavyweight network linking trade union centres from over 40 Commonwealth countries and representing more than 70 million workers.
That makes it the go-to labor voice when decisions are made on the global stage—especially within the Commonwealth’s political machinery.
Atwoli, never one to downplay a milestone, called the re-election a reaffirmation of trust.
“I am deeply honoured,” he said. “CTUG continues to be a powerful voice for workers across the Commonwealth, and I remain committed to ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of our members are heard at the highest levels of decision-making.”
And he means business. Atwoli’s influence stretches far beyond Kenya’s borders. He also serves as Vice President of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), headquartered in Brussels, and has become a fixture in high-level global labor conversations.
CTUG has come a long way since its inception in 1979, when it was known as the Commonwealth Trade Union Council (CTUC). It took on its current name in 2004, expanding its reach and voice. Today, it doesn’t just talk about labor policy—it helps shape it. The organization even holds a special seat at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings (CHOGM), which gives it a rare opportunity to directly influence policy that affects millions of workers.
At its last engagement during the October 2024 CHOGM in Apia, Samoa, CTUG played a key role in framing labor-focused resolutions that were eventually adopted by heads of state. It’s that kind of impact that keeps Atwoli and CTUG at the center of the global labor table.
The Kenyan labor boss also extended congratulations to Toni Moore of Barbados, who was elected as CTUG’s new president.
“I look forward to working closely with Ms. Moore,” Atwoli said, praising her leadership and vision for the group’s future.
CTUG’s growing membership—from 30 million in 2007 to over 70 million today—tells a story of increasing worker solidarity and relevance in global policymaking. And with Atwoli staying on board, it’s clear the group plans to keep turning up the volume on labor rights across the Commonwealth.
