Kenya Ferry Service workers have threatened to strike yet again, citing outstanding payments owed to them by the government. They intend to launch their protests on Friday 16 November 2012 if the government fails to compensate them by Thursday evening. The employees are demanding arrears worth over KES 1 billion, dating all the way back to 2010.
According to Ferry Service officials, talks are underway and the management is working on a solution to curb the crisis.
“We gave the government a deadline that expires on Friday,” said one official. Speaking to Pesatalk on Tuesday morning, she said that the situation was under control.
The last time Likoni ferry workers issued a strike warning, transport to and from the Mombasa airport was temporarily suspended. This forced commuters to use alternative and otherwise inconvenient routes to reach their destinations. The Likoni Service is a 24-hour operation that runs all throughout the year, carrying vehicles and passengers across the Kilindini harbour.
The previous strike took place earlier this month when workers shut down their operations, leaving commuters stranded. Shortly thereafter, Kisauni MP and Assistant Minister for Transport, Ali Hassan Joho urged employees to be patient as the government looks for lasting solutions to their problems.
Service officials report that no actual progress has been made thus far and say that commuters in the region may be inconvenienced if Friday’s strike ensues. However, others have expressed optimism, stating that their needs should be met within the stipulated time-frame.
Their ultimatum follows a Likoni ferry terminal upgrade which is expected to cost taxpayers about KES 180 million. According to the Kenya Ports Authority, the upgrade will increase the area’s carrying capacity by one ferry, thereby reducing congestion.