Has anyone been following the news lately? If you have, I am sure you have
heard about the Chilean miners, Obama’s visit to India and even maybe, the release of
Harry Potter this Friday- I know we are all excited about this one. But I bet you would
not have heard about the strike Kenyan Tea Workers have been on for the past two
weeks. It is not something that seems to make international headlines and requires a
deeper look into news stories, but that does not mean it should be viewed as mediocre or
unimportant. The strike consisted of more than 10,000 workers who were opposing the
introduction of tea plucking machines. Their argument was that it would cost them their
jobs if these machines were installed. And even now, expressing their right to complain
about work has cost some of them their right to return to work even as the strike has
ended.
The way these workers are being treated is unfair and inhumane. To not hire a
person back for expressing their right to freedom of speech and trying to better their
working environment is a crime. Furthermore, this strike addresses not only the fear
of losing jobs due to the introduction of machinery, but also touches on the fear of
losing their jobs in general. Tea workers have been victim to human rights violations
by multinational corporations for decades, Unilever, also know as Lipton as the main
one. Lipton rely on workers to keep Kenya as the 2nd largest exporter of black tea, but
give them nothing in return. In fact, I would argue most of those workers who did strike,
probably didn’t even have permanent employment. And the fact that many were not hired
back shows how lucrative the supply of workers is, due to increased unemployment in the
country. Many are willing to step in when others complain about conditions, which only
add to the pyramid of problems.
We need to spread the word about the temporary employment issues these
workers go through: the discrimination they face when discussing wages, housing and
harassment. Women, who work, as tea puckers are most vulnerable, due to their
disposition as women and most of the time they are not employed if they are pregnant.
The only way to change such conditions is to standardize the process. We need to force
corporations, Unilever as target number one, to respect human dignity and labor. We need
to pressure them to hire workers for permanent periods of time, providing stability and
income to poor families.
1) Low wages
heard about the Chilean miners, Obama’s visit to India and even maybe, the release of
Harry Potter this Friday- I know we are all excited about this one. But I bet you would
not have heard about the strike Kenyan Tea Workers have been on for the past two
weeks. It is not something that seems to make international headlines and requires a
deeper look into news stories, but that does not mean it should be viewed as mediocre or
unimportant. The strike consisted of more than 10,000 workers who were opposing the
introduction of tea plucking machines. Their argument was that it would cost them their
jobs if these machines were installed. And even now, expressing their right to complain
about work has cost some of them their right to return to work even as the strike has
ended.
The way these workers are being treated is unfair and inhumane. To not hire a
person back for expressing their right to freedom of speech and trying to better their
working environment is a crime. Furthermore, this strike addresses not only the fear
of losing jobs due to the introduction of machinery, but also touches on the fear of
losing their jobs in general. Tea workers have been victim to human rights violations
by multinational corporations for decades, Unilever, also know as Lipton as the main
one. Lipton rely on workers to keep Kenya as the 2nd largest exporter of black tea, but
give them nothing in return. In fact, I would argue most of those workers who did strike,
probably didn’t even have permanent employment. And the fact that many were not hired
back shows how lucrative the supply of workers is, due to increased unemployment in the
country. Many are willing to step in when others complain about conditions, which only
add to the pyramid of problems.
We need to spread the word about the temporary employment issues these
workers go through: the discrimination they face when discussing wages, housing and
harassment. Women, who work, as tea puckers are most vulnerable, due to their
disposition as women and most of the time they are not employed if they are pregnant.
The only way to change such conditions is to standardize the process. We need to force
corporations, Unilever as target number one, to respect human dignity and labor. We need
to pressure them to hire workers for permanent periods of time, providing stability and
income to poor families.
1) Low wages
- Temporary workers do not get paid for overtime work and get paid at a piece rate. This means that their income is dependent on how much leaf they pick not necessarily how many hours they work.
- Temporary workers do not receive income when they are sick, pregnant, or otherwise unable to work.
- Since they have lower wages, it is common for temporary workers to be malnourished and unable to afford food and health care for their families and children.
- Paid by the amount of tea leaves accumulated daily, number is not disclosed to them, so it is unclear whether they receive the rightful amount
2) Housing
- Overcrowding and poor conditions are typical for temporary (and full time) workers in the tea trade. Unilever homes are overcrowded and sexual harassment issues have been common for women living in these areas.
- Families broken up by inadequate/crowded housing
- There have been reports of poor water and electricity problems in temporary worker housing.
3) Health and Safety
- There are cases of workers developing back problems, pesticide induced illnesses, and respiratory illnesses due to working in tea picking and production.
- Adequate doctors and hospitals are difficult to access for tea workers
- HIV/AIDS is also a threat for many workers in Unilever and greater Kenya
- Long hours cause severe exhaustion, little access to water and food while working
4) Gender Issues
- Supervisors of tea picking are always men
- Women are stuck in lower level picking jobs without much hope of promotion
- Forced pregnancy tests prior to hiring. If pregnant, no chance of being hired
- If found to be pregnant, automatic loss of job
5) Lack of representation
- Temporary workers are not represented in trade unions and have little say in defending their rights or changing
- Many trade unions in Kenya are either ineffective or unable to help temporary workers
- Do not receive health benefits for children because of temporary status
The long term objectives of our campaign are to deliver tea workers with the social services
they deserve, ie: Health care for their children, adequate housing, fair pay, and job security.
We would also like to change the protocol regarding temporary workers. As of now, a
worker can maintain temporary status at their place of employment with Unilever for six
years – that is unfair and unjust.
