Flower farm workers boycott work

By Antony Gitonga

 

Nakuru County

 

Unrest in flower farms in Naivasha over low wages and poor working conditions has spread to yet another farm.

Over 300 workers at Savannah International took to the streets, paralysing activities along Moi South Lake.

The workers swore not to return to work until their grievances were addressed and called on the Government to intervene.

They claimed their wages were far below the minimum Government recommendations.

“We are paid Sh110 per day. We have families and children to cater for and we ask the Government to help us,” said Wilson Absai, a worker at the farm. He said  the high cost of living had made life unbearable and accused the management of paying them peanuts while they raked in millions from flower exports.

Female workers complained of harassment from management. They said those who get pregnant risk losing their jobs.

 

Harmful chemicals

Some workers claimed they had been denied protective clothing even while working with harmful chemicals.

“We have already been affected by these chemicals and we are denied medical leave,” said Shadrack Mzungu.

Addressing the Press in his office a senior manager, Stanslavs Likoko, denied the allegations.

“It’s not about their wages but they are protesting over the delay in releasing their bonuses for the month ending July 2011,” he said.

Naivasha District Public Health Officer Samuel King’ori visited the farm to inspect the sanitary condition.

“I am satisfied with the cleanliness here but a lot more needs to done to ensure the workers are in good health while they work in the greenhouses,” he observed.

The strike comes barely a week after workers from the nearby Sunbuds Kenya boycotted work over poor wages.

Naivasha MP John Mututho has put flower farmers in the country on notice. He said he had taken a Bill to Parliament seeking to raise the minimum wage to Sh10,000.

Naivasha is home to most of the flower farms.