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{
    "id": 844106,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/844106/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 23,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nandi Hills, JP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Alfred Keter",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 2514,
        "legal_name": "Alfred Kiptoo Keter",
        "slug": "alfred-kiptoo-keter"
    },
    "content": "THAT, the said multinational company provides employment to over 40,000 workers who are drawn from within Nandi Hills Constituency and other parts of the country. THAT, the termination erupted two years ago after the ruling of the Employment and Labour Relations Court that all tea industries in Kenya to hike their employees’ payment by 30 per cent. THAT, EPK allegedly disregarded the decision of the Employment and Labour Relations Court forcing the employees to exercise their constitutional right of seeking justice through demonstrations. THAT, EPK Limited did not honour the court’s verdict hence employees held demonstrations to express their displeasure and dissatisfaction. THAT, the summary dismissal of the said employees was based on a blanket judgement, hence it was irregular and breaches the constitutional provisions in the bill of rights. THAT, in 2016, the employees petitioned the Court to have their salaries reviewed based on the advice from the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU). THAT, the dismissal was unlawful since some of those dismissed were sick inwards while others were on leave. THAT, further, the dismissal was erroneous and against rules of natural justice since employees were not accorded an opportunity to be heard contrary to Article 50 of the Constitution. THAT, the termination was solely aimed at instilling fear in workers and, therefore, denying them their right to a fair trial. THAT, blacklisting dismissed workers from working within the multinational company is forbidding punishment which will in turn lead to emergence and escalation of social crimes within the region. THAT, efforts to resolve the matter with the relevant ministries or agencies have been futile. THAT, the issues in respect of which this Petition is made are not pending before any court of law or constitutional or statutory body. THEREFORE, your humble Petitioners pray that the National Assembly through the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Welfare: (i) Investigates the circumstances under which employees were dismissed with a view to address the Petitioners’ plight. (ii) Causes the management of EPK to give clear reasons for summary dismissal and blacklisting of workers. (iii) Recommends EPK to compensate and reinstate workers for the unlawful dismissal and the damages caused. (iv) Makes any other direction it deems fit in the circumstances of this matter. Your Petitioners will forever pray."
}