Flights going through Kenya’s main airport, Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), are being delayed due to a workers’ strike. Negotiating with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the workers on strike demand better pay and working conditions.
Who is involved in the strike, and why?
The strike is the response to a series of unresolved conflicts with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). The workers accuse the organisation of stalling salary negotiations and delaying union remittances.
The Kenya Aviation Workers Union issued a warning a week prior detailing grievances over pay and poor working conditions. The strike began as a response to the failure to implement part of an agreement with the union.
The union also accused the KCAA of showing unwillingness to resolve labour disputes, stating that these conditions have gone unchanged for over a decade. The KCAA had approached the courts in an attempt to block the strike a week ago.
Who is affected and reactions
Kenya Airways issued an official travel advisory on Feb. 16, urging passengers to expect possible schedule adjustments or delays. The airline advised its customers to check official updates from its communication channels and to not travel to the airport without verifying the status of their flight.
Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the country’s and the area’s largest regional aviation hub, and these delays have resulted in a significant number of passengers being stranded in the airport. Multiple airlines have stated that air traffic control operation delays were affecting both arrivals and departures and promised schedule adjustments.
The Kenya Airports Authority said a contingency plan attempting to limit disruptions was in place, and that it was engaging with those concerned in order to resolve the issue.
What do you think about the strike and its causes and consequences? How should it be resolved? Let us know in the comments!
