A majority of journalists at the Standard Group have stayed away from work as they made good of their threat to go on strike beginning January 6.
Sources at the Mombasa Road based company say that although only unionized journalists can go on strike, a good number of employees have joined them in solidarity citing lack of bus fare as the reason they are unable to report to work.
Standard Group has not paid its journalists for the last four months. Worst hit are correspondents who have gone for almost six months without pay now.
Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) is set to have a meeting with the company’s management later today in order to sort out the mess which is threatening to grind to a halt operations at Kenya’s oldest media house.
“If the journalists have gone on strike, that is their own making. KUJ will give directions next week after meeting the leadership of Standard Group,” Union secretary general Eric Oduor has said.
KUJ had last week termed the failure by the company to pay salaries as exploitation.
“The company cannot hide behind the post Covid 19 effects, since violation of workers’ rights started before the pandemic,” said KUJ.
“This is inhuman and demonstrates impunity as staff have for the past three months struggled to meet their financial obligations in the wake of soaring cost of living being experienced across the country. The staff have been deprived dignity, especially during this festive season where families enjoy the fruit of their hard labour,” said the union