Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers ( KUSPAW) has renewed its threat to go on strike on Thursday his week over failure by the government to pay arrears and pending benefits amounting to Ksh10.8 billion shillings owed to the current workers and those who have been retrenched.
KUSPAW secretary general Francis Wangara demanded that the government must offset the arrears in full to enable workers and those entrenched to settle their bills.
Speaking at the Tom Mboya labour college in Kisumu after being reelected back into office,Wangara said workers at the four mills, namely Muhoroni, Chemelil, Nzoia and Sony will down their tools unless payments are made or the government issues a firm, time-bound commitment..
He said they agreed with the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Treasury that workers’ dues would be paid by November and before Christmas last year, however to date there has been no communication or commitment from government.
Wangara said the arrears included workers declared redundant following the transition to private management, adding that the same includes staff who were absorbed by the new operators but are still owed part of their benefits.
The unionist said the private millers reduced the workforce after taking over operations, leaving some employees without jobs and unpaid dues.
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He warned that failure to clear the arrears would trigger industrial action.
“From Thursday workers should not report to work until their payments are made,” he said.
The union urged the new investors to allow workers to exercise their constitutional right to strike, insisting that the obligation to pay arrears rests with the government.
However, he said, any miller willing to pay workers and seek reimbursement from the State could proceed.
He warned that continued silence from government would only deepen workers’ suffering and accused authorities of playing games with employees’ livelihoods.
KUSPAW, he said regretted that there is no commitment shown by the government so far adding they are not backing down over their demands.
Wangara said the immediate focus was on securing payment through engagement with the Ministry of Labour and the transition structures overseeing the handover when asked whether the union would pursue legal action
He pointed out that the last transition committee meeting on December 6 resolved that payments be made before Christmas, a decision that has not been implemented.
The strike threat comes amid the government’s sugar sector reforms, which include leasing state-owned sugar mills to private investors to revive production, improve efficiency and reduce losses.
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Under the programme, private operators took over the management of Muhoroni, Chemelil, Nzoia and Sony sugar companies earlier this year.
The leasing arrangements were expected to stabilise operations while the State settled legacy debts, including workers’ salary arrears and terminal benefits.
However, months into the transition, the union says outstanding salary and dues, including retirement benefits, estimated to be over Ksh 10 billion, remain unpaid, fuelling labour unrest and raising questions about the pace and effectiveness of the reform programs.
Earlier Wangara retained his position while Miriam Wanyama was elected the chairperson.
Jared Odhiambo was elected the first deputy secretary general while Felix Idaman secured the position of second deputy secretary general.
Beatrice Adhiambo was elected second assistant secretary general while Michael Ochieng was made the treasurer as Dancan Wasitu was elected his assistant.
Yusuf Luchivya and John Lutava were made trustess.
By Fredrick Odiero
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