Union wants state to eliminate violence at the workplace after BBC tea plantation exposé
The Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) now want the government to adopt the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention to eliminate harassment in workplaces.
...
[Francis Atwoli, KPAWU Secretary-General said]: ‘‘Governments that ratify C190 will be required to put in place the necessary laws and policy measures to prevent and address violence and harassment in the world of work.’’
...
The union also demanded that James Finlay and Unilever immediately stop the outsourcing of labour through the use of contractors and consequently offer direct employment to heretofore all contracted employees.
‘‘Outsourcing of labour affects the rights and welfare of workers considering they work at the mercy of contracted companies and not the parent company,’’ said KPAWU.
The union said the documentary has clearly exposed the dangers of outsourced labour bearing in mind James Finlay’s and Unilever opted to use the estate managers to outsource labour rather than directly employ these workers.
‘‘As such, most of the women working in the tea estates are denied the opportunity to join a union that would advocate for their rights and represents their interests,’’ KPAWU said.
It also demanded that James Finlay and Unilever stop union busting tactics that discourage workers from joining union for better representation and advocacy.
....
‘‘...they should pay damages and compensation to the affected workers considering the emotional and health damages caused, unionise all their employees, and stop the use of contractors to outsource labour,’’ said KPAWU.