Politics and policy
By JOSEPH AKWIRI
In Summary
- The port has already lost up to Sh100 million shillings so far because of the strike, according to KPA managing director Gichiri Ndua.
Striking port workers in Mombasa returned to work on
Friday after being warned they could lose their jobs, but said protests
over higher health care costs could resume next week.
The work stoppage has disrupted business at the biggest in
the region, which handles imports such as fuel for Uganda, Burundi,
Rwanda, South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia
but the port's management has said normal services would resume by
Monday.
Workers protesting higher NHIF deductions refused
to work on Wednesday and Thursday, paralysing operations at the port and
prompting port management to advertise their positions in local media.
The port has already lost up to Sh100 million
shillings so far because of the strike, according to Kenya Ports
Authority (KPA) managing director Gichiri Ndua.
Ships and cargo trucks remained stranded for over 24 hours as key entry points to the port remained closed.
Sylvan Mghanga, an official at the port's
communications department, said workers had returned to work fearing
they would lose their jobs.
"The management has never made such an announcement
before, so it shocked and scared everyone, and that is why they have
returned," said Mghanga, referring to a Friday morning deadline for
striking workers to resume duty or be fired.
Union officials said the strike's halt was only temporary.
"We have not called off the strike. Workers just
went back today after sympathising with many stranded businessmen at the
port," Simon Sang, the port workers' union secretary general said.
"But on Monday it will be bigger, because even other civil servants across the country will join in."
Workers were concerned that the government had
increased the monthly National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) deductions
from Sh320 ($3.22) to Sh1,700 ($17.13) without increasing their
salaries, union officials say.
-Reuters-
No comments :
Post a Comment