Matatu workers issue warning over contracts

By Lonah Kibet

Matatu industry employees have given the Government nine days to implement their employment on contracts.

Matatu Stage Welfare Association (MSWA) national chairman Kigathi Munguya says the new traffic laws might render them jobless, since they are likely to break them to please their employers.

“It is not our wish to speed or overtake. Our employers give us unattainable targets and we have to deliver or risk being fired. Without contracts we have no job security which is very frustrating and we end up pleasing the employer instead of the passengers,” Munguya said.

He said they were collecting one million signatures from the matatu crews country wide in preparation for the strike set for November 29.

Worsen situation

“We feel the Government has completely ignored our proposal of implementing contract employment in the industry. We are going to all parts of Kenya and collecting signatures from all matatu workers in preparation for the strike if the Government won’t have addressed our issues,” said Munguya, adding that 11,871 signatures have already been submitted.

Munguya said their members had for a long time suffered in the hands of their employers and that the enactment of the Bill would worsen the situation if their rights are not protected under labour laws.

Among the things they are demanding are: leave days, introduction of shifts instead of working for 16 hours a day, have their payments made to National Hospital Insurance Fund and National Social Security Fund and removal of the impossible targets.

The Bill was signed by the President and will take effect from next month. It is meant to reduce traffic offences that have claimed many lives.

There will be fines or jail terms for reckless drivers who overlap or drive on pavements, pedestrian walkways or petrol stations to avoid traffic build-ups, those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Police will be required to erect roadblocks in areas designated by the Inspector General of Police. Signs prescribing speed limits will also be erected.

The law will also compel PSV drivers to undergo compulsory competence testing every two years.