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Tea farmers during a meeting in Nandi Hills on June 28, 2016. At least
11 tea factories in Nandi have been shut as the strike by the workers
continues to bite, impacting negatively on the economy of the county.
PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
By TOM MATOKE and BARNABAS BII
Over 50,000 striking tea pickers have continued to defy a court
order to resume duty, although on Monday they called off their week-long
demonstrations.
The boycott is to protest failure by firms to implement a pay increase.
Multinational tea companies and farmers in Nandi and Kericho counties have incurred losses running into millions due to the industrial action.
“As a law-abiding union, we have called off demonstrations by the tea workers in Nandi and Kericho counties. But we will not relent in demanding the implementation of a 30 per cent salary increase awarded by the labour court,” said Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union’s western Kenya regional secretary, Mr Joshua Oyuga.
The union leaders, however, maintain that the workers would not resume tea picking, with farmers in the region losing about Sh300 million weekly as a result of the strike.
“We have instructed all our workers not to report for duty and, instead, remain in their homes as they wait for the outcome of a case in court,” said the union’s Nandi secretary, Mr Eliakim Ochieng.
At least 11 tea factories in Nandi have been shut as the strike by the workers continues to bite, impacting negatively on the economy of the county.
The tea companies and farmers are reluctant to implement the salary increment arguing that it will put them out of business.
The Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) moved to court seeking to have the 30 per cent pay increment awarded by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi suspended, sparking demonstrations and further legal tussles with the workers.
KTGA Chief Executive Officer Apollo Kiarii argued that high labour costs would result in most multinational tea companies shutting down, leading to massive job losses.
Some of the tea companies have disclosed plans to hire new workers to replace those under the union who are still on strike.
“Unless the situation improves, we have no option but to hire new workers to pluck tea,” said Siret Tea Outgrowers Company chairman Wilson Tuwei.
CREDIT: NATION MEDIA GROUP
The boycott is to protest failure by firms to implement a pay increase.
Multinational tea companies and farmers in Nandi and Kericho counties have incurred losses running into millions due to the industrial action.
“As a law-abiding union, we have called off demonstrations by the tea workers in Nandi and Kericho counties. But we will not relent in demanding the implementation of a 30 per cent salary increase awarded by the labour court,” said Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union’s western Kenya regional secretary, Mr Joshua Oyuga.
The union leaders, however, maintain that the workers would not resume tea picking, with farmers in the region losing about Sh300 million weekly as a result of the strike.
“We have instructed all our workers not to report for duty and, instead, remain in their homes as they wait for the outcome of a case in court,” said the union’s Nandi secretary, Mr Eliakim Ochieng.
At least 11 tea factories in Nandi have been shut as the strike by the workers continues to bite, impacting negatively on the economy of the county.
The tea companies and farmers are reluctant to implement the salary increment arguing that it will put them out of business.
The Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) moved to court seeking to have the 30 per cent pay increment awarded by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nairobi suspended, sparking demonstrations and further legal tussles with the workers.
KTGA Chief Executive Officer Apollo Kiarii argued that high labour costs would result in most multinational tea companies shutting down, leading to massive job losses.
Some of the tea companies have disclosed plans to hire new workers to replace those under the union who are still on strike.
“Unless the situation improves, we have no option but to hire new workers to pluck tea,” said Siret Tea Outgrowers Company chairman Wilson Tuwei.
CREDIT: NATION MEDIA GROUP
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