KBC staff to go on strike over low pay
Employees of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) are set to go on strike on Wednesday over what they termed as poor pay and non-payment of salary arrears.
But a union representing workers in the sector warned the employees not to boycott work.
The staff are demanding a salary increase they claim the management promised them on February 10.
The State broadcaster undertook a restructuring programme in which it promoted employees to new grades as reflected in the Code of Regulations.
However, they say it continued to pay its staff using the old grades and the new pay structure only benefited “a few selected managers.”
The matter came before Parliament yesterday when Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo demanded an urgent statement from the government on the looming crisis that could shut down Channel 1 TV and radio stations run by the broadcaster.
The strike will also affect live broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings which are transmitted by KBC.
“The minister should explain why employees of KBC are the most poorly paid in comparison to workers of other State corporations,” Mr Kilonzo said.
Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim directed the Minister for Information and Communication to issue a statement on the stalemate to Parliament on Wednesday afternoon.
Communication Workers Union secretary-general Benson Okwaro on Tuesday appealed to the workers to let the union negotiate with KBC instead of going on strike.
“They should appreciate the 21 per cent increase,” he said yesterday.
