The Standard Media Group could be staring at a serious crisis that could cripple its operations, if a statement by the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), is anything to go by.
On Friday, December 30, KUJ warned the Standard Group Limited of what it called a gross violation of its workers’ rights.
In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the union claimed the Mombasa road-based media house “used dubious means to remove its staff from the union in order to exploit them”.
KUJ also accused the listed giant of using the effects of the pandemic on the economy as a smokescreen to continue failing to meet its side of the bargain in implementing some clauses as contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement entered between them and the staff.
"The workers have been deprived dignity, especially during this festive season where families enjoy the fruit of their hard labour,” read part of the statement.
In particular, the union that agitates for the rights of members of the fourth estate took issue with the non-payment of salaries, failure to remit SACCO savings, and statutory deductions as the main issues that the media house has meted on its workers.
According to the statement signed by KUJ Secretary General Eric Oudor, workers, at the media house that has been struggling financially, have gone for three months without payment.
"This insensitivity and don’t care attitude has been going on for three months, and to add salt to the injury, the management has unilaterally decided to chop salaries of staff in total disregard to the Employment Act that protects salaries of staff from unlawful deductions,” KUJ stated.
Article 41 (1) of the Constitution states that every person has the right to fair labour practices.
On December 23, KUJ issued a 14-day strike notice and is now calling the staff at the media house to withdraw their services starting January 6, 2023.
In the recent past, Standard Group has suffered the exit of its top talents in what has been attributed to non-payment of salaries.
The company, owned by the late President Daniel Moi's family, is struggling to remain afloat, having issued a redundancy notice to staff months ago.
