The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) came under fire for unlawfully baring the implementation of the 2020-21 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed between the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and its workers.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Labor and Welfare, the Workers Union (DWU) General Secretary Simon Sang said over 600 employees who were due for promotions have acted in senior positions for between seven months and seven years.
In a letter to DWU, dated August 20, 2021, KPA indicated that all the positions that had fallen vacant would be advertised.
The union insists those serving in an acting capacity should be confirmed.
As to why the CBA is yet to be implemented, KPA Human Resource and Administrative General Manager Daniel Ogutu defended KPA against any wrongdoing insisting the corporation was ready to pay the workers’ salary increment when SRC gives them a green light.
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Nominated Member of Parliament Wilson Sossion questioned why SRC was getting involved in industrial disputes which had been resolved by courts yet it has no legal mandate to do so.
Sossion added since KPA and the union had signed an agreement of 10 percent salary agreement effective January 1 this year, there was no need for the document to be sent to Kenya Federation of Employers (KFE).
Sang also said the workers are yet to receive their bonuses for the fiscal year 2018/2019.
In 2017, KPA capped overtime payment for its workforce at 30 percent of the employee’s salary, a move the Union criticized saying it was not consulted.
As a result, the Parliamentary Committee on Labor and Welfare has started an inquiry into alleged irregular recruitment and promotions policies at KPA.
SRC has been given a week to appear and respond to the claims by the Union and KPA.
Edited by Lawrence Baraza.
