Striking SGR workers in Maai Mahiu (photo / standardmedia.co.ke)
China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) has refuted claims that it has fired 1,000 staff at the Maai Mahiu sub-section of the SGR.
The company which was contracted for the Nairobi–Naivasha SGR Phase 2A project has had its work stalled for the past one week at subsection office No 4 at Maai Mahiu after workers went on on strike to protest remuneration and poor working conditions.
In a statement sent to newsrooms, the company says that it has put a notice for the workers to report back to work with those who fail, their positions will be deemed vacant.
"CCCC is categorical that it has not fired any of its employees. We have posted the notice informing all employees to report for duty. Any employee who will not have reported by the end of January 8, 2018 will be deemed to have absconded duty and thus have his position declared vacant, " the statement read.
The statement adds that more than half of its 975 employees have reported to work. It reiterates that a few workers are threatening more employees from reporting back.
"There are, however, a few workers that are threatening more employees from reporting to work and are thus keeping off their work stations, fearing for their lives. We have already notified the local authorities about these threats and legal action will be taken for any employee found to be threatening their fellow colleagues," read part of the statement.
CCCC however maintains that the workers remuneration are fair although negotiations are still ongoing.
"We would like to reaffirm that the basic minimum wage rate at the SGR sub-section offices is higher than that set under the Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2017 that was effected after the 18 per cent increase in minimum basic wage."