Naivasha flower workers go on strike

By Antony Gitonga

Hundreds of workers at a Naivasha flower farm have downed tools to protest against low wages and poor working conditions, as labour unrest continued in the horticulture sector.

The 800 workers from Vegpro farm accused the management of being insensitive to their plight.

The strike is the third in less than two weeks for the sector.

Workers at two other flower farms, Karuturi and Aquilla, have protested at what they termed poor terms of employment.

Flower farm workers in Naivasha take to the streets to demand better pay and improved working conditions. Workers from two other flower farms were on strike last week. [PHOTO: ANTHONY GITONGA/STANDARD]

Yesterday, the Vegpro farm workers trekked for over 20 kilometres to their head office where they sought audience with the management.

They blocked the road leading to Hells Gate National Park forcing riot police to disperse them.

According to one of them, they are earning Sh100 a day, which is way below what is stipulated by the Labour regulations.

"We have suffered in silence for months and we have decided to go on strike so that the world can know our problems," he said.

The Kenya Plantations and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) Naivasha branch Secretary Peter Otieno accused the farm of failing to implement a 22 per cent salary increment previously agreed on.

"Last month the Government, farmers and the union agreed for an increment of 22 per cent for workers but this farm has refused to heed the directive," said Otieno.

Address safety

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions had announced a 21-day strike in April demanding a 50 per cent pay increment. A 22 per cent pay rise was agreed upon.

Last week, more than 1,500 workers from Aquilla and Karuturi farms went on strike over poor working conditions and meagre wages.

The KPAWU had asked the Government to address glaring occupational safety and health hazard issues affecting the workers.

Naivasha has 57 flower farms that employ an estimated 50,000 workers directly, while thousands of others benefit indirectly.