Tea pluckers in Kericho down tools over salaries

Tea pluckers in Kericho

Tea pluckers in Kericho are on strike demanding implementation of a court order that awarded them a 30 per cent salary increment.

The workers led by their union, Kenya Plantations and Agricultural Workers Union (Kpawu), vowed to stay away from the farms until the tea companies increase the salaries.

They said they accept nothing short of Industrial Court judge Lillian Njega’s orders.

In her ruling, Justice Njega also awarded the workers a medical and sick allowance of Sh30,000 and baggage allowances of similar amount upon termination of employment.

“The workers would also be entitled one rest day with pay in every working week. They shall also enjoy an annual leave allowance awarded at 6 per cent of their salaries,” she said.

The affected companies under the Kenya Tea Growers Association (KTGA) include James Finlays, Sotic Highlands Tea Estates, Williamson, Kapchorua, Kipkebe , Nandi, Gakoe, Mogusii, Karirana, Kerumbe, Kamiti and Tea Research Institute.

The workers demand came as the companies through a memo signed by KTGA Executive Officer Apollo Kiarii stated that they were reviewing the full economic impact of the judgment and its effect on the sustainability of the business.

Mr Kiarii told the workers to maintain peace and order at all times, and desist from unlawful actions.

“As a result, we have made an application of stay in the implementation of the order, lawyers from both parties will be appearing before the court on June 28,” Kiarii said in a letter.

Kpawu Assistant Secretary General Meshack Khisa said it was unacceptable for the tea companies to renege on the court orders.

NO RETREAT

“It has taken the workers almost three years to get the 30 per cent pay increase and its now better to starve fighting than to starve working,” said Mr Khisa.

He added: “It is only fair the companies award the employees who earn a meagre Sh10,000 their rights. That is just a mere Sh3,000.”

Kpawu Kericho branch Secretary Dickson Sang said the workers will not retreat in demanding for their rights.

“We are not going to fear or retreat until we get our right. We are tired of being treated like robots its time the employer treats us with some decorum and respect,” he said.

Kipkeleon West MP Jackson Rop joined the over 20,000 striking 20,000 in demanding employers effect the court order that awarded the salary increment.

Speaking to the Press in Nyagacho Primary School, the MP told the companies to obey the court ruling.

“The tea companies must know that the country is governed by laws and that court orders must be obeyed. The companies have built their huge wealth on the backs of the workers who have been working under extreme weather conditions for a long time,” said Mr Rop.