Kenya: Tobacco Firm Denies Pay Row

Source from:  The Star (Nairobi) 09/03/2012

Mastermind Tobacco Kenya yesterday dismissed claims that it had refused to pay Teso farmers their 2010 bonuses. Malakisi leaf centre manager, John Macharia said farmers who had not sold anything this year had been struck off the payroll. Over 150 farmers in Teso North complained that the tobacco firm had failed to pay them their bonuses. David Etyang said he sold 12.6 tons in 2010 and was entitled to receive Sh 65,000 as bonus. "I was shocked when I found my name missing from the list of the recipients with the manager failing to give me convincing reasons failing to include my name," he said. Etyang said despite resuming to plant tobacco this season, they have denied him 2010 bonuses which he duly toiled for. Zakayo Ochibaruk sold 21 ton and was eligible to receive bonuses worth Sh100, 000. Owing to delayed payments they boycotted to plant tobacco in 2011. The farmers have threatened to abandon sending their crop to Mastermind if they will not rescind the decision of paying farmers their 2010 bonuses. Enditem