Human Flower Project

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

At the Very Minimum

A 22% hike in the minimum wage for agriculture workers in Kenya is half what the union wanted, and lots more than the industry expected.

Workers prepare roses for export in Kenya. The nation’s horticulture sector—flowers, fruits and vegetables—exports nearly $1 billion (USD) worth of produce per year.

Photo: via Business Daily

Global recession followed by ash-clouded air space have stricken Kenya’s flower industry, and the pain, of course, trickles down – most affecting those who grow, tend, and harvest the flowers.

The Central Organization of Trade Unions announced a 21 day strike in late April (just before Mothers Day) but agreed to call it off when an Industrial Court ruled the action illegal, calling for further negotiations.

Now after weeks of tough talk on both sides, some 100,000 flower workers have won a 22% pay raise. Sounds major!

Except that the union had been asking for a 50% increase in wages. Consider that inflation has raised the cost of living 7% in Kenya just this year. More to the point, consider the pay itself, not the raise.

The 22 per cent minimum wage pay increase “would see them earn between Sh4,773 and Sh5,581, up from the previous Sh4,300,” reports Business Daily. Those are Kenya shillings.

In other words, these ag workers will go from earning about $53, to making $59-$69 – PER MONTH.

Jane Ngige, CEO of the Kenya Flower Council, groaned, “Small farm owners will have a hard time coping with the increment backdated to July last year, they have no choice but to honour it.” Business Daily also reports that the Kenya’s growers are asking for a “stimulus package” from the government.