Sony Sugar MD Bernard Otieno Sent on Compulsory Leave After Workers’ Strike

Sony Sugar Company Managing Director Bernard Otieno has been sent on compulsory leave after worker downed tools on Monday.

Making the announcement, the company’s board chairman Charles Owino stated that the workers downed their tools demanding salary arrears.

More than 2,000 workers on Monday carried a peaceful demonstration in Awendo, Migori County demanding close to Ksh100 million in salary arrears.

Defending the workers, the Kenya Union of Sugarcane Plantation and Allied Workers Deputy Secretary General John Ogutu blamed the management for failing to pay workers for the last three months.

Ogutu noted: “The casual workers have not received salaries for three months (January, February and March) while permanent workers are yet to receive February and March salaries.”

Read: Sony Sugar Employees Vow To Down Tools Over Delayed Salaries

In March 23, the workers had issued to the company a seven-day strike notice.

According to the union’s committee’s member despite the union previously approaching the management to address the salary issues,  they reached no agreement.

They would later agree that the salaries would be paid by April 5 and 18 respectively however it is yet to be effected.

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