Over 5500 EPZ firm workers are protesting over newly introduced payroll system.Hela Intimates Epz Ltd, a garment manufacturer in Athi River Machakos County risks running into loses following an ongoing stalemate with striking workers.
The company’s over 5500 workers have for the last three days been locked outside its premises after they protested against a newly introduced payroll system.
The workers have since been reporting to work each morning only to stay outside the factory that is located inside the Export Processing Zone. They have been demonstrating against the company’s management’s failure to have them join Tailors and Textile and Workers Union.
The company that operates 24 hours closed on Wednesday following the ongoing workers strike.
The workers have accused the company of transferring them illegally to a new employer and unlawfully sacking some colleagues.
The private firm is a local subsidiary of Sri Lankan-incorporated Hela Clothing which manufacturers lingerie for European and United States markets.
The workers claimed that the firm’s management had turned deaf ears into their complaints and instead continued to violate their constitutional rights.
The staff also claim that the company had been sacking employees who question certain decisions made by the management.
According to the workers, those targeted were due for service benefits after serving the company for years.
Efforts to reach out to the new management bore no fruit as they closed themselves in the facility
The protests come barely a month after more than 2,000 workers at the Global Apparel company held a peaceful protest after they were denied entry into the company.
The workers had been fired and asked to reapply afresh for their positions.