Workers in the sugar sector have expressed overwhelming support for the recently assented Sugar Bill, which is now officially the Sugar Act.
The Bill’s passage into law is a significant milestone with labor leaders optimistic over its potential to regulate and stabilize the sugar sector.
Francis Wangara, the secretary general of the Kenya Union of Sugis now a law. It is the only document that can effectively regulate the activities within the sugar industry,” Wangara said.
“For too long, we have seen this important piece of legislation set asunder, but its back and we believe it will have tremendous positive impact.”
A key feature of the new Act is the transition from the Agriculture and Food Authority to a more robust Directorate of Sugar, which will be led by elected representatives from sugar farming regions.
These sugar directors, chosen by the farmers, will have the responsibility to oversee and regulate the industry, a critical function that has been lacking in the recent years.
“For too long, the sugar sector’s growth and operations have been left to the government which has its own priorities and obligations,” he said.
“This Act changes that by introducing structures where the directors are accountable to the farmers and the industry as a whole.”
The Act also addresses the issues of sugar imports, which have negatively impacted the local sugar markets in recent years.
Wangara emphasized the need for a balanced approach to imports, noting that unchecked imports often flood the market and undermine locally produced sugar.
“In the past we knew the importation of sugar was meant to fill in a deficit, but in recent years, sugar has been imported in excess, choking local production and negatively affecting the livelihood of farmers and workers,” he said.
While new factories can boost production, Wangara said that without proper planning and stable supply of raw materials, many of these factories can close, as witnessed last year when factories were forced to close for four months due to lack of sugarcane.
He stressed that the overall impact of the Sugar Act would foster better regulation, order and discipline.
This means greater stability, which provides leverage for negotiating better working conditions. “As workers, we thrive when there is stability in the industry.
When the industry is unstable, it becomes difficult to engage with employers to improve the terms of employment for our members,” Wangara said.
With the assent of the Sugar Bill
into law, stakeholders are hopeful
that the new regulations will usher
in a new era of growth and stability.
