By> MARION MUMINA
Private port workers employed by ship contractors licensed by the Kenya Ports Authority in Mombasa are up in arms over working overtime with low wages for a long period of time.
The workers claimed that despite working hard for long hours and in poor working conditions, they lack any protection of any kind including NHIF and NSSF insurance covers unlike KPA employees who also receive good pay.
Speaking in Mombasa on Thursday, chairman of Kenya Ship Contractors Association Mr. Richard Jefwa, further claimed that complaints by the port workers have felt on deaf ears.
“Our workers and contractors given contracts by foreign shipping agents are being deployed due to low wages and despite filing various complaints, the situation has remained the same”, he added.
On his part, general secretary of Dork Workers union Mr. Simon Sang pledged to incorporate the private port workers as a branch of Dork workers union or in a formed union of maritime workers to protect the workers.
“The Union, Transport sector unions in association with COTU are coming up with a plan to resolve this issue after the upcoming elections”, he stated.
Various stakeholders, representatives and workers from different organizations including Kenya Ship Contractors, Kenya Maritime Authorities, Ship Support Service Workers, Maritime Wages Council attended the forum held in Mombasa.
Edited by George Otieno
