February 10, 2025

Warehouse Workers Protest Over Poor Payment Rates in Mombasa

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By Harrison Kivisu 

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Hundreds of warehouse workers from Changamwe in Mombasa are appealing for government’s intervention to resolve a payment rate stalemate that has remained unresolved by their employers.

The workers under, the Kenya Shipping Clearing, Freight Logistics and Warehouse Union (KSCFLWU) staged a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 demanding for the full implementation of a pending collective bargaining agreement (CBA) 2023/2024.

On Wednesday, tension remained high in the affected Changamwe area as rival groups – one led by union officials and the other by brokers – clashed resulting into destruction of properties including food kiosks which were burnt down during the confrontation.

Led by their branch union officials, the irate  workers from various godowns blamed the infiltration of cartels and  brokers who they accused of frustrating the implementation of the CBA which dictated an increase of four percent rate payment per piece.

“We want the government to come to our aid. We have children to feed and the little we are paid for carrying one bag on our backs is Sh7 and this is too little to bear. We have registered our cry to the ministry and is yet to address it,” said one of the workers, Edward Omondi.

Speaking at the godowns on Wednesday, the workers union chair Shilingi Shevo asked all union members to down their tools until their payment grievances were addressed by warehouse owners.

They asked authorities to intervene and quell the growing tension.

Shevo, flanked by other union officials, said load workers were paid as little as Sh7 and Sh10 for a 10 and 25 kg bag they carry which was too little compared to the current harsh economic conditions in the country.

“We want the rate of payment to be commensurate with the weight of kilos an employee carries on their back, for example a 30 kg bag should be paid Sh30 while a 50 kg bag should go for Sh50 in line with current labour economy. We have suffered underpayment for long yet we have a law that protects us from exploitation,” he said.

According to the union documents dated March 1, 2023 a four percent increase of rates were certified by the labour and relations court in September 2023.

“We are asking the Ministry of Labour and also local leadership to intervene and resolve the stalemate. We have suffered in the hands of the brokers, who continue to control payments against the regulations,” the documents indicated.

The documents also indicate agreements entered between area warehouse companies employers, loaders and off loaders of cargo within the warehouses.

“This is to inform you that the court having considered the collective bargaining agreement dated 25/9/ 2023 has accepted the CBA agreement registration in accordance with relevant provisions of the labour relations Act,No.1 of 2007,” reads part of the court document signed by labour relations court Judge Stella Ruto.

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