More than 300 Kenyans hired by the
Chinese operator of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)
passenger train have finally been issued with one-year renewable
contracts, reducing the possibility of industrial action by the workers.
The
staff, including welders, coach attendants and ticketing operators,
have been working without a contract from April after the expiry of
their probation period that started in October.
The workers had in July complained about the contract issues and warned that they would down their tools.
China
Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) hired the locals alongside Chinese
workers as security personnel, train drivers and wagon technicians.
The Business Daily saw a contract for a welder.
“Your
salary will be paid monthly on the basis of Sh84 per hour. Holidays,
vacations, time offs and other related benefits will be in accordance
with the company policy as explained by your supervisor.
“The
salary and benefits may change from time to time without affecting the
other terms of your employment,” read a section of the contract.
Kenya Railways and CRBC in May signed an operations, maintenance and service agreement for the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR operation.
Kenya Railways and CRBC in May signed an operations, maintenance and service agreement for the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR operation.
ALSO READ: SGR workers in protest over delayed salaries
The
deal which was signed in June to run for a period of 10 years will see
CRBC maintaining the equipment and rail tracks according to prescribed
manuals and in line with best global industry standards.
The
Chinese firm is also expected to hire 1,000 Kenyans in various
positions, who will eventually take over the operations of SGR after the
expiry of the Kenya Railways-CRBC deal.
The 472 km SGR railway line between Mombasa and Nairobi is Kenya’s largest single infrastructure project since independence.
Constructed
at a cost of Sh327 billion, it is co-financed through commercial and
semi-concessional loans from China and the Government of Kenya.
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