Sugar sector workers have suspended a planned nationwide strike after fresh talks with the government, even as their union insists billions of shillings in unpaid salaries and benefits remain outstanding.
The Kenya Union of Sugarcane Plantation and Allied Workers (KUSPAW) said the strike, which was due to take effect on Monday, was halted after the Ministry of Agriculture assured workers that part of the arrears would be paid before the Christmas holidays.
KUSPAW Secretary-General Francis Wangara said the decision followed discussions with Agriculture Principal Secretary Kipronoh Rono, who pledged to engage the National Treasury to fast-track the release of funds to cushion affected workers.
According to Wangara, the government has approved a Sh1 billion partial payment, although the union is yet to receive confirmation on the exact date the money will be disbursed.
“It would be unfortunate for workers to go into the Christmas period without receiving any portion of their salary arrears or benefits,” Wangara said while addressing journalists in Kisumu, warning that failure to honour the commitment would further erode workers’ trust in the government.
The union maintains that sugar workers are collectively owed Sh10.8 billion in accumulated salary arrears and terminal benefits, with the approved Sh1 billion expected to cover only a fraction of the total debt.
Wangara added that the Agriculture Ministry has indicated plans to seek an additional Sh4 billion from January to further reduce the arrears, with assurances that all outstanding payments would be cleared by June 30 next year.
He said priority would be given to workers who have exited service so they can receive their full terminal benefits, while those already absorbed onto the payroll would continue earning salaries as negotiations over the remaining dues continue.
However, the union cautioned that it would review its position if the promised funds are not released, warning of possible industrial action when workers return after the New Year.
“If the commitments are not honoured, it will be a serious setback. When the year begins, we will know how to deal with those who are failing workers,” Wangara said.
The planned strike had raised fears of major disruptions across the sugar belt, particularly at Muhoroni, Chemelil, Nzoia and Sony sugar factories, which were recently leased to private investors as part of government-led reforms.
Under the leasing arrangements, the government is expected to stabilise operations while settling legacy debts, including workers’ salary arrears and terminal benefits.
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