Bidco signs 750 casuals on contracts

Thika-based consumer goods manufacturer Bidco has hired 750 casual workers on contract terms triggering protests from some who say they are set to earn less compared to the previous pay.

The casual workers were previously paid Sh464 per day and Sh600 on overtime, earning them a minimum of Sh11,600 in a 25-day working month, excluding the overtime allowance.

The new employment terms, however, mean that the affected employees will earn a monthly basic salary ranging from Sh11,000 to Sh16,000 .

Bidco, a family owned enterprise whose core business is producing edible oils and detergents, said on Friday the new employment contracts seek to harmonise its payroll.

Some of the workers on Thursday held a protest in Nairobi objecting to the new terms of employment, saying they do not include leave pay, house allowance and gratuity for the years they have already worked.

“We were not involved on the changes at the company until Friday last week when the exercise became compulsory to all casuals,” said one of the casual workers at Bidco who sought anonymity for fear of being victimised.

Pharis Kimaru, the Bidco Corporate Communications and Public Relations Officer, told the Business Daily on Friday that  the new employment model  is designed to  benefit the casual workers who used to work  for two or three  days  per week.

“Under the casual system a worker could work for two days a week or three depending on the needs of the company on the day-this is now a thing of the past as the contracted workers will enjoy regular hours and regular pay, “said Mr Kimaru.

He said Bidco has already paid off everything to the disgruntled workers and does not owe them any cash relating to their previous casual employment.

“All casuals were invited to apply for the contract and those who were interested did so and 750 were taken on board. The response to the contract offer has been great and we are still processing applications and hiring more people,” said Bidco in a statement. The contracts will last for one year subject to renewal.

Bidco has 1,650 employees in Kenya and over 6,000 across the region. Those who accepted the new terms have already resumed their roles at the company, with the firm stating the recruitment is still open and company operations have not been affected by the standoff.

Bidco has been expanding its operations extensively both in infrastructure terms and product portfolio, with the focus being to diversify its revenue streams in the competitive manufacturing industry.