Migori: Chaos as Sony Sugar Workers Protest 2 Months’ Salary Delay, Mass Layoffs

• Sony Sugar workers staged a day-long protest in Awendo after allegedly going for two months without pay, clashing with police who blocked their entry into the firm’s premises
• The employees accused the new management of harassment and threats, saying they were being forced out of their jobs through mass terminations starting in October
• Workers revealed their medical cover had gone unpaid for half a year despite salary deductions, leaving them to struggle with hospital bills in cash
• The protesters questioned the secrecy surrounding the company’s new bosses, vowing not to resume duty until clear answers were given

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Sony Sugar employees have downed their tools, protesting over two months’ salary arrears and mass termination of contracts starting in October.

The protest, staged on Wednesday, August 20, lasted most of the day as workers engaged police in running battles.

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The angry group took to the streets, chanting anti-management songs, calling for the exit of the new leadership.

"We are not leaving, we want our right, Tahib must go!” they chanted in unison as they marched towards the company’s premises, which was heavily guarded by police.

The chants filled the air as they attempted to access the offices, prompting officers to lob teargas canisters in an attempt to disperse them.

Why are Sony Sugar employees protesting?

While addressing the press in Awendo, the workers raised several issues, including SHA medical cover deductions without remittance for six months, forcing them to pay for treatment in cash.

"We are out here fighting for our rights, not favours. We want to know why we have not been paid for two months, yet the company’s new management is silent. Last Friday, we were notified of the termination of the contract without any explanation of redundancy. How do you terminate so many people, yet you took over to provide solutions?" Ben Oyugi stated.

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The agitated young lad further accused the management of harassment and threats at the workplace.

"We are harassed and told we are not worth working with, and that we have only a few days left before being forced out," the workers lamented.

Rose Odhoch, another employee, said conditions at the facility had worsened since the much-publicised takeover.

"Since this new management came in, everything changed, even things affecting our personal lives. We are not allowed to use phones during work hours. At times, we are forced to move around looking for each other in emergencies," she said.

What demands did Sony Sugar employees give?

They insisted that if layoffs are to happen, the management must first provide clear guidelines on benefits and long-standing deductions.

Charles Odhiambo Agak noted that the new bosses have refused to disclose who is truly behind the company, leaving workers suspicious of their employer’s identity.

They vowed not to return to work unless given proper directives.

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"Yes, we’ll leave eventually, but the company must provide opportunities for young employees who still need these jobs," they maintained.

A letter seen by TUKO.co.ke dated Friday, August 15, stated that contracts would be terminated due to redundancy as Sony Sugar 2025 takes over.

When TUKO.co.ke reached out, the management said they were in a meeting and would issue a statement later. At the time of publication, no response had been received.

They urged local leaders to defend their rights, pointing out that most of them supported the decision to lease the company.

"Our leaders supported the leasing of the company. Now we are being mistreated and taken for granted. It’s time they fight for us if they care about the youth," said Oluoch Nicholas.

Did govt order Sony Sugar to fire employees?

The protest comes barely a day after the government directed four leased, state-owned sugar mills, Chemelil, Muhoroni, Sony, and Nzoia, to issue redundancy notices, affecting about 5,000 workers.

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The government stated that the terminations must be in writing, with clear reasons and full disclosure of employees’ rights and entitlements, and copied to county labour offices.

Workers may reapply under new management.

Source: TUKO.co.ke