The Kenya Plantation and agricultural workers union-KPAWU have expressed concern over the move by Unilever Tea Kenya limited to accept a percentage salary increase 2014-2015.
Addressing media in Nakuru, Assistant secretary general Meshak Khisa said Unilever has been trying to arm-twist KPAWU to accept the same.
The Union has also condemned the move taken by the company to issue letters to workers demanding them to separate voluntarily employment with them especially concerning unionised workers.
“We are strongly opposed to what is happening at Unilever in Kericho by awarding salary increment to workers without involving the Union. It has gone ahead to issue letters asking workers to separate voluntarily employment with them,” said Khisa.
The Assistant secretary general said the will be joining the county Government of Kericho in demanding that the land owned by multi-billion Tea company is returned to the public.
According to the Unionist, it is shameful for such companies to continue exploiting workers without giving back to the community in which they operate.
He called on workers to remain strong and not be threatened as the matter is under the address of the Union.
“We want to join forces with the county government of Kericho to demand that the huge parcels of land owned by the company that is mistreating and exploiting workers be returned to the county,” said Khisa.
Sentiments echoed by Deputy Secretary-general Thomas Kipkemboi who said plantation workers have continued to suffer in the hands of employers as far as salary remuneration is concerned.
He called on the county government of Kericho to ensure they repossess the companies once the leases are an over-a move he says will help improve the management and welfare of the workers in the huge plantations.
“Workers in these plantations have continued to suffer and it is high time that action is taken. If the current management will not observe the law then it is high time we take over the companies so that the welfare of workers can be looked into” said Kipkemboi.
Over 5,000 workers are affected by the latest development.
Other officials who addressed were Henry Omasire- National organizing secretary and Bernard Ochand – assistant national organizing secretary.
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