Sony Sugar workers to down tools over delayed salaries

Employees of Sony Sugar Company will on Monday down their tools over unpaid salaries for the month of December 2018.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Kenya Union of Sugarcane Plantation and Allied Workers Deputy Secretary General John Otieno Ogutu said they had issued the company with a seven-day notice which expires on January 14, 2019.

According to Mr. Ogutu, they have tried to negotiate with the sugar manufacturer over the delayed salaries but all has been futile, adding that a strike remains their only option.

He added that the workers have also not received a clear communication from the company’s top management explaining the delay.

Mr. Ogutu further accused the company of taking the employees for granted, adding that the management “is not empathizing with workers who are currently unable to put food on the table, pay school fees for their children and pay insurance cover.”

The union boss said the strike set for Monday is protected by law and will continue as planned unless the company disburses the payments.

Calls and text messages to Sony Sugar Company Managing Director Benard Otieno enquiring about the issues went unanswered.