Scores of Export Processing Zone (EPZ) firm employees have been injured after they clashed with anti-riot police in Athi River, Machakos County.
The workers, part of over 5,500 Hela Intimates Ltd company employees, got injured during their demonstrations at the Export Processing Zone on Friday.
The private firm is a local subsidiary of Sri Lankan-incorporated Hela Clothing which manufacturers lingerie for European and United States markets.
The workers engaged the police in running battles after they were denied access to the garment making firm.
They have been out of work since Monday this week when they downed their tools over what they claimed introduction of a new payslip by their employer.
The workers clashed with police who they accused of being used by their employer to harass them.
They claimed that the officers used live bullets and tear gas canisters to repel them but Athi River deputy County commissioner Charles Wambugu dismissed the claims saying they were rubber bullets.
Athi River assistant sub-county police commander Salim Komora earlier told the Star that police repulsed the rioting workers using tear gas canisters.
Komora said the rioters were denied access to the Export Processing Zone so that they don't destroy property alongside disrupting operations at the Zone.
He said the workers were right to demand their Constitutional rights but should use the right channel through their leadership.
"We are only protecting lives and property at the Export Processing Zone, the claims we used live bullets is a lie," Komora said.
Wambugu, Komora, Epz director Kamama Wa Mbugua alongside Mavoko MP Patrick Makau MP held a closed-door meeting with EPZA leadership before addressing the workers outside the Zone.
The meeting was prompted by the workers’ weeklong demonstrations at the zone.
The leaders condemned Hela intimate management for failing to address its workers’ grievances.
They said the employees’ grievances must be amicably addressed to end the stalemate for them to return to work next Tuesday.
The leaders, however, noted that no single worker should be victimized over the protests.
Wambugu said they will, as government representatives, in the sub-county ensure that the issues were resolved.
Makau said the workers had been patient for a long and therefore their grievances must be addressed and solved once and for all.
“There was a misunderstanding in the company between workers and investors. The management claimed that they called the police to repulse the employees since they had caused damages to its property,” Makau said.
Makau said the protests were prompted by changes in the workers’ change of payrolls.
He said changes by the company for the workers to gain access to the garment maker company through face recognition from the normal fingers’ biometrics were also protested by the workers.
“The meeting has resolved that you will all report to work as usual next Tuesday and there will be no victimization. Your January salaries have already been paid and are reflected in your respective bank accounts,” Makau said.
The legislator, however, condemned Hela Intimates Ltd management for allegedly infringing on the workers’ rights.
He said all Kenyans are protected by the law adding that all investors in the country must comply with the rule of law including labour related legislations.
Mbugua, on his side, said as EPZ directors, they were proud of Makau for being part of the team that worked out for a solution to end the workers’ woes with their employer.
He said they had resolved to be holding quarterly meetings for local leaders, provincial administration, EPZA officials, and investors alongside workers’ representatives in the zone.
“We have solved the problems of over 5, 500 employees as agreed as EPZ directors that we will work with the local leadership under the patronage of the area MP. This zone is important to the country and President Uhuru Kenyatta is keen to ensure that its employs over 60, 000 workers by the end of this year,” Mbugua said.
“The companies at the zone are all going digital and nobody will be sacked, Hela Intimates was improving on their digital programs,” Mbugua added.
Mbugua said those who had served the company for five years and above will be paid their services.
The workers have for the last three days been locked outside its premises after they protested against a newly introduced payroll system.
They have since been reporting to work each morning only to stay outside the factory that is located inside the Export Processing Zone.
The workers have been demonstrating against the company’s management’s failure to have them join the Tailors and Textile Workers Union.
The company that operates 24 hours closed on Wednesday following the ongoing workers strike.
The workers have accused the company of transferring them illegally to a new employer and unlawfully sacking some colleagues.
The workers claimed that the firm’s management had turned deaf ears to their complaints and instead continued to violate their constitutional rights.