Operations at regional retailer Nakumatt on Tuesday morning came to a halt after a section of workers downed their tools demanding payment of salaries.
The workers, who took their protests to Mombasa Road, are demanding payment of their June and July salaries.
Last month, Nakumatt sent a memo to its staff indicating that it would pay salaries in three instalments.
The instalments were to be split into 30 percent, 40 percent and 30 percent over three weeks.
“The company has reviewed salary payment plans with an intention of ensuring that every employee gets a percentage of his/her salary every for a total of three weeks in a month,” read part of the memo.
The employees now claim they are yet to receive two months’ salary and are demanding payment from Nakumatt’s top brass.
“Hatutaki memo. Tunataka pesa (We don’t want a memo. We want money),” the employees chanted as they made their way to Nakumatt headquarters along Mombasa road.
But in a quick rejoinder, Nakumatt has urged the workers to return to their stations, terming the strike as illegal.
“A section of staff have not reported to their workstations. From a management perspective, that’s an illegal and unprotected strike. Management reserves the right to pursue the necessary disciplinary action,” Nakumatt said in a statement.
The management argues a strike at this point would disrupt ongoing talks to restructure the business.
“Management remains in contact with the Union and staff are advised to return to work and avoid jeopardizing ongoing restructuring efforts,” the retailer added.
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