KBC STAFF GO ON STRIKE

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) employees have this morning gone on strike as a result of an alleged excess of over Kshs. 300 million in salary arrears.

The strike, initially set for February 23rd 2012, was differed by the staff union as they gave the management time to put its house in order. A week later, however, the company’s Director came up with what employees said were virtually insignificant reforms.

According to sources, KBC accrues roughly Kshs. 30 million from unpaid salaries and allowances, and with the growing number of casual workers at the station, who were apparently also promised speedy integration into the workforce, there are numerous people within the organization obviously disgruntled.

Trouble began when scores of employees received their payslips which had deductions from their union allowances. This ofcourse was evidence that they had been silently demoted. Now KBC staff members are waiting for official letters of demotion so that they may commence the legal process.

Other allegations that KBC hires casual labourers or interns, and fails to employ them, even upto nine years down the line. They receive no allowances of any sort from the management and are constantly assured of employment.

On February 10th, Information Ministry Permanent Secretary Bitange Ndemo ordered KBC to implement the Code of Conduct and pay its employees but it seems the issues facing the corporation are deep rooted.

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) is a state run organization that broadcasts in both English and Kiswahili, which are national languages of the country. It was started in 1928 under the British colonialists and has steadily grown to what it is today.

Keep it Ghafla for more news as the drama unfolds…