New KCC workers to get 47 p.c pay rise

Over 600 workers at the New Kenya Co-operative Creameries may finally get a 47 per cent pay rise in a deal expected to be formalised on Friday.

Speaking to the Nation on phone, the chairman of the New KCC central staff committee Mr Nicholas Muraguri said the workers are happy that the agreement seems to be finally taking shape after many promises.

The first phase of the appraisal was supposed to take effect on July 1, 2011 with a 17 per cent increase, while the second is expected to kick off in July this year with a 30 per cent rise.

However to date, the New KCC has not reviewed its unionisable workers’ pay despite giving the managerial staff a salary increment towards the end of last year. The union is hoping that the company will finally honour the agreement once pen is put to paper.

“We are demanding that the company clears the arrears from July last year and keeps the trend until July when we expect the remaining 30 per cent increment to be effected,” he said.

He said the signing had been delayed by a directive from the then head of Public Service Francis Muthaura that no parastatal should engage in discussion about salary reviews with its employees.

The push for the appraisal started after a study conducted by Deloitte Kenya two years ago recommended an increase in the salaries of the staff of New KCC.