Workers at Kenya’s main port of Mombasa continue their strike in demands for permanent contracts and higher pay, causing chaos in shipping and for tourists alike.
The strike started on Thursday when an estimated 3,500 casual port workers walked out on dockside and loading duties, in demands to be granted official and permanent employment contracts. The majority of the striking workers have been loading at Mombasa for up to 15 or even 20 years, and as such feel they are entitled to the benefits of a permanent contractual agreement.
The action was then given further momentum when the Kenya Ferry Services labour force also joined the strike, this time in demands for increases to wage packages.
As such, the port – which is a pivotal hub for the East and Central Africa region, serving Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and the parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo – has come to a stand-still, with loading and unloading of import and export items halted; as well as disruption to tourists travelling in the area.
With striking workers communing at various locations around the port, roads are also being blocked stopping trucks from entering the port, and causing gridlock around the second largest city in Kenya.
Strikers are also stationing themselves in front of main port authority offices, chanting their demands – which they say they will not err from, announcing a return to work will only be achieved on receipt of permanent employment contracts.
Involved in talks with the striking workforce is Bernard Osero, the Kenya Ports Authority corporate affairs manager. Osero noted that despite headway in negotiations, issuance of contracts to the 3,500 would take some time, revealing: “We had a fruitful meeting with union officials yesterday that went late into the night.”
Osero disclosed: “We agreed that letters of permanent employment will be issued to all the 3,500 workers today, but they are still out there at the offices not working. They say they must receive the letters first before they resume work.”
As such, the port may see further disruptions until the contracts are distributed.
