Dock workers’ strike enters day two

Operations at the port of Mombasa are still paralyzed for the second day running after 6,000 workers, who are members of the Dock Workers Union (DWU), went on strike to protest the new NHIF rates.

No goods have been offloaded or allowed to leave the port as the striking workers have abandoned all berths and yards paralyzing the entire port and Kilindini harbor.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Gichiri Ndua says that they have so far lost 70 to 100 million shillings since the strike kicked off on Wednesday.

Led by their Secretary General Simon Sang, the striking workers have vowed to stay away from work until the new rates that have seen the deductions increase by over 400 per cent are revoked.

The strike comes after new premium rates saw formal sector workers pay higher contributions as of April 1st with individuals earning Ksh 5,999 and below contributing Ksh 150 while those earning Ksh 100,000 and above paying Ksh 1,700.

The strike comes even as a similar one planned by the Trade Unions Congress of Kenya failed to kick off in Nairobi.