Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) workers are set to receive a pay rise after their union reached an agreement with management.
The Dock Workers Union (DWU) has signed a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the KPA management, bringing to an end more than two years of negotiations over workers’ salaries and benefits at the Port of Mombasa.
The agreement will benefit more than 5,000 unionised employees and will be in place from 2024 to 2027. It introduces revised basic salary scales for workers, increases transport allowances, and provides for the payment of salary arrears dating back to 2024.
The negotiations were based on public service recommendations, which called on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to consider proposals for enhanced salaries for parastatals and government departments whose performance has improved.
Kenya Ports Authority workers offload an imported crane. The workers' union has signed a new CBA that will see members receive pay rises.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The two-year negotiations for the new CBA began during the tenure of union Secretary-General Simon Sang. Mr Sang left office last month.
His successor, Sulman Owuor, said that the agreement had been reached after nearly two and a half years of lengthy negotiations. He said that the deal would improve workers’ welfare while maintaining stability in port operations.
“This agreement is expected to benefit hundreds of union members working under the Kenya Ports Authority, one of the country’s key state corporations responsible for port operations and maritime trade,” said Mr Owuor.
According to the union, employees in KPA Grade 8 will earn a basic salary ranging from Sh92,975 to Sh127,130, while those in Grade 9 will receive from Sh78,635 to Sh98,375. Those in Grade 10 will earn between Sh53,715 and Sh83,975.
The two parties also agreed to retain the current housing allowance structure while increasing transport allowances.
Employees in Grade 8 will receive a monthly transport allowance of Sh30,000; those in Grade 9, Sh20,000; and those in Grade 10, Sh15,000.
The union further stated that salary arrears accrued from 2024 onwards will be paid once the agreement has been implemented.
