Sacked EAPCC workers disrupt firm's operations over unpaid dues

More than 600 former workers of East Africa Portland Cement (EAPCC) are up in arms over their unpaid dues amounting to Sh1.5 billion.

The agitated workers, whose contracts were terminated four months ago, said they are yet to receive their dues despite a court order that the cement manufacturer pay them with immediate effect.

The former employees paralysed operations as blocked lorries transporting cement from entering the company's factory.

The protesters faced off with the police, who were forced to lobby teargas to disperse them.

The former workers the company has failed to comply with the court ruling and is intimidating their leaders to stop mass action.

They further claimed their dismissal was inappropriate as they had not been given any notice of termination of their contracts prompting them to seek court intervention.

The court ruled that the sacked workers be given gratuity and other benefits but they now claim the management is intimidating them.

Miserable

They claimed their lives were now miserable despite having worked and being entitled to pay.

The sacked workers accused the company's management of high-handedness and corruption, saying they were not even paid their monthly salary before their dismissal.

"We have been reduced to beggars for the last four months after our unlawful dismissal. Our children are out of school and we cannot be able to pay our rent. Portland management has been giving us empty promises yet the court ruled on our favour. We want the President [Uhuru Kenyatta] to intervene on our behalf," said Thomas Muthoka, who said he was sacked after 12 years of service.

The sacked employees have declared not to relent on mass action until their dues are paid.

The management of the cement company was held up in a crisis meeting on Monday, with police keeping vigil of the troubled company.