Business
Kenya: Union at port city of Mombasa suspends strike
(Reuters) – A union representing workers at Kenya’s main port of Mombasa called off a strike on Friday after the management issued letters of employment to casual workers who were demanding permanent jobs.
The strike, which was in its second day, had left loading and unloading at a standstill. Also on Friday, a separate strike by workers demanding better pay halted operations by Kenya Ferry Services.
The main gateway for East Africa’s trade, Mombasa handles imports such as fuel for Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
Simon Sang, secretary general of the dock workers union, told workers the dispute had been resolved after most of their employment letters were signed.
“Go to your departments. All letters have been dispatched to the departments. Pick your letter and go back to work,” he said.
“Our most important demand has been granted,” he told jubilant workers, who pumped fists in the air in celebration.
An official at the Kenya Ports Authority said the union had agreed to send the workers back to their jobs after receiving their letters.
