Leonard Kilwake Chebusire & 23 others v Jiangxi Zhongmei Engineering Construction Company Limited [2018] KEELRC 1615 (KLR) | Statutory Minimum Wage | Esheria

Leonard Kilwake Chebusire & 23 others v Jiangxi Zhongmei Engineering Construction Company Limited [2018] KEELRC 1615 (KLR)

Full Case Text

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS COURT

AT KISUMU

CAUSE NO. 112 OF 2015

(Before Hon. Lady Justice Maureen Onyango)

LEONARD KILWAKE CHEBUSIRE & 23 OTHERS..........CLAIMANT

VERSUS

JIANGXI ZHONGMEI ENGINEERING

CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED........................RESPONDENT

JUDGMENT

Introduction

The claimants are all current or former employees of the respondent, a construction company engaged by the Government of Kenya to rehabilitate the Webuye-Kitale Road.  According to the claim dated 21st April 2015 and filed on the same day, the claimants seek payment of underpayments, lost hours, house allowance, NSSF/NHIF/PAYE and annual leave.  The specific claims of each of the 24 claimants are as set out on the claim.  The claimants further seek costs and interest.

The claims by each of the claimants is broken down as follows –

1ST CLAIMANT – LEONARD KILWAKE CHEBUSIRE

Underpayments                Kshs.436,800/=

Lost hours                        Kshs.336,000/=

House Allowance             Kshs.100,800/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds       Kshs.8,320/=

PAYE                                Kshs.2,708/=

Annual leave                    Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                           KSHS.926,628/=

2ND CLAIMANT – DAVID NGIGI MUGO

Underpayments               Kshs.412,800/=

Lost hours                        Kshs.357,000/=

House Allowance             Kshs.107,100/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds       Kshs.8,840/=

Annual leave                    Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                            KSHS.927,740/=

3RD CLAIMANT – ESAU MUGAMBI MUKHOLA

Underpayments                  Kshs.594,000/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.462,000/=

House Allowance               Kshs.138,600/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds         Kshs.11,440/=

PAYE                                  Kshs.9,422/=

Annual leave                       Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                               KSHS.1,257,462/=

4TH CLAIMANT – LABAN KASIEVELA

Underpayments                  Kshs.656,400/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.525,000/=

House Allowance               Kshs.157,500/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds         Kshs.13,000/=

PAYE                                  Kshs.5,376/=

Annual leave                       Kshs.84,000/=

TOTAL                               KSHS.1,431,276/=

5TH CLAIMANT – BENSON KITAVI MUTUA

Underpayments                 Kshs.564,000/=

Lost hours                         Kshs.441,000/=

House Allowance              Kshs.132,300/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds        Kshs.10,920/=

Annual leave                      Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                             KSHS.1,190,220/=

6TH CLAIMANT – JOHN MUKOMA ANDANJE

Underpayments                  Kshs.602,400/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.588,000/=

House Allowance               Kshs.176,400/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds         Kshs.14,560/=

Annual leave                      Kshs.84,000/=

TOTAL                KSHS.1,465,360/=

7TH CLAIMANT – JOHN WANYONYI KHAMALA

Underpayments                  Kshs.293,600/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.231,000/=

House Allowance                  Kshs.69,300/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds               Kshs.5,720/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.609,620/=

8TH CLAIMANT –KEVIN OMONDI ONGERE

Underpayments                  Kshs.225,200/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.160,000/=

House Allowance                  Kshs.50,400/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds               Kshs.4,160/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.547,760/=

9TH CLAIMANT – PETER NALESO AZENGA

Underpayments                  Kshs.318,000/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.252,000/=

House Allowance                  Kshs.75,600/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds               Kshs.6,240/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.693,840/=

10TH CLAIMANT – JACOB W. WANYAMA

Underpayments                      Kshs.180,000/=

Lost hours                               Kshs.126,000/=

House Allowance                   Kshs.37,800/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds             Kshs.3,120/=

TOTAL                                 KSHS.346,920/=

11TH CLAIMANT – SIMON O. MARIENGA

Underpayments                  Kshs.452,400/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.273,000/=

House Allowance                  Kshs.81,900/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds               Kshs.6,760/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.856,060/=

12TH CLAIMANT – PETER KIPKESHO MOREY

Underpayments                  Kshs.392,000/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.294,000/=

House Allowance                  Kshs.88,200/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds               Kshs.7,280/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                  KSHS.823,480/=

13TH CLAIMANT – PETER KIPWAMBOK KEMBOI

Underpayments                  Kshs.336,000/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.252,000/=

House Allowance                  Kshs.75,600/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds             Kshs.26,240/=

PAYE                                      Kshs.2,064/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.612,904/=

14TH CLAIMANT – ANTHONY UBINDI MUDASIA

Underpayments                  Kshs.282,000/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.210,000/=

House Allowance                  Kshs.63,000/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds               Kshs.5,200/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.612,904/=

15TH CLAIMANT – MOSES KATAMI

Underpayments                        Kshs.252,000/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.189,000/=

House Allowance                        Kshs.56,700/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds                     Kshs.4,680/=

PAYE                                            Kshs.2,439/=

TOTAL                         KSHS.504,819/=

16TH CLAIMANT – DAVID CHOMBA GATHONI

Underpayments                        Kshs.336,000/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.252,000/=

House Allowance                        Kshs.75,600/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds                     Kshs.6,240/=

PAYE                                            Kshs.2,106/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                         KSHS.612,916/=

17TH CLAIMANT – HUMPHREY K. CHEBUYA

Underpayments                        Kshs.134,400/=

Lost hours                                  Kshs.84,000/=

House Allowance                        Kshs.25,200/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds                     Kshs.2,080/=

TOTAL                         KSHS.245,680/=

18TH CLAIMANT – LAWRENCE EDWASI EKOMBE

Underpayments                        Kshs.753,200/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.462,000/=

House Allowance                      Kshs.138,600/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds                   Kshs.11,440/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.84,000/=

3 months’ notice in lieu           Kshs.126,000/=

TOTAL                      KSHS.1,575,240/=

19TH CLAIMANT – STEPHEN SIMIYU

Underpayments                        Kshs.762,588/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.504,400/=

House Allowance                      Kshs.151,210/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds                   Kshs.12,480/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.84,000/=

TOTAL                      KSHS.1,514,278/=

20TH CLAIMANT – KEVIN SHIGOLI NGAYIRA

Underpayments                        Kshs.570,000/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.525,000/=

House Allowance                      Kshs.157,500/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds                   Kshs.13,000/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.84,000/=

TOTAL                      KSHS.1,349,500/=

21ST CLAIMANT – DAVID KIPKETER CHEPKWONY

Underpayments                        Kshs.528,240/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.443,880/=

House Allowance                      Kshs.133,164/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds                   Kshs.14,040/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.65,760/=

TOTAL                                KSHS.1,185,084/=

22ND CLAIMANT – ISAAC MANOS MUCHWENGE

Underpayments                        Kshs.626,400/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.609,000/=

House Allowance                      Kshs.182,700/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds                   Kshs.15,080/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                      KSHS.1,517,180/=

23RD CLAIMANT – HILLARY BIRGENT

Underpayments                        Kshs.272,400/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.219,600/=

House Allowance                        Kshs.65,880/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds                     Kshs.7,800/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.29,280/=

TOTAL                         KSHS.594,960/=

24TH CLAIMANT – GABRIEL WANJALA BUNYANYA

Underpayments                        Kshs.392,208/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.351,360/=

House Allowance                      Kshs.105,408/=

NSSF & NHIF Funds                   Kshs.12,480/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.58,584/=

TOTAL                           KSHS.920,140/=

The respondent did not file a defence to the claim or attend court for hearing.

In view of the sketchy information in the file, the nature of prayers sought and the number of employees involved, this claim together with several other related filed we referred to the County Labour officer Kitale to investigate and prepare a report to assist the court in arriving at a fair and just determination of the claim.

The County Labour Officer filed his report in court on 24th February 2017. The findings in the County Labour Officer’s report are reproduced below –

“In pursuance to the court’s directive that the above matter be investigated and report submitted to the court on or before 28th February 2017.  The following are the findings of each claimant: -

1. Jacob Wamalwa Wanyama

Mr. Wamalwa Wanyama was employed in May 2014 as a mechanic and left employment in July 2015.  He was paid his dues of prorata leave amounting to Kshs.3,100/=.

2. David Ngigi Mugo

Mr. Ngigi was employed in June 2013 as a plant mechanic and left on 06/05/2016.  He was paid all terminal benefits as shown here below:-

-   Wages                     -              20,223. 00

-   House Allowance     -                3,033. 00

-   Overtime                  -              16,360. 00

-   Accrued leave          -              15,167. 00

-   Service gratuity        -              20,972. 00

Total                                    75,755. 00

Mr. Mugo was paid Kshs.75,800/= in full and final settlement.

3. Benson K. Mutua

Mr. Benson Mutua fought his supervisor and ran away.  He did not go back to collect his dues.

4. Laban Kasievela

Has instituted private case in Bungoma Law Courts.

5. David Chomba

Mr. Chomba was employed in December 2013 as a plant mechanic and left in January 2015.  He was paid all his terminal dues which constitute of wages for days worked Kshs.10,458/= and one month wage in lieu of notice Kshs.10,071/= all totalling to Kshs.20,500/=.

6. Leonard K. Chebusire

Mr. Chebusire was employed July 2013 as a welder earning Kshs.15,434/=.  He was paid all terminal dues: -

-   Wages                     -              11,278. 00

-   House Allowance     -                1,692. 00

-   Overtime                  -                4,656. 00

-   Accrued leave          -              13,356. 00

-   Service gratuity        -              16,621. 00

Total         47,603. 00

7. John Mukoma Andanje

Mr. Mukoma Andanje was employed in September 2012 as a welder and resigned on 5th December 2014.  He was paid his terminal dues amounting to Kshs.37,800/=.

8. Esau Mugambi Mukhola

Mr. Esau Mukhola was employed as a mechanic in 2012 and left employment on 04/04/2016.  He was paid his terminal dues in full as shown here below: -

-   Wages                     -              13,846. 00

-   House Allowance     -                2,077. 00

-   Overtime                  -              11,041. 00

-   Leave                      -                4,673. 00

-   Service gratuity        -              29,077. 00

Total                      60,714. 00

9. Gabriel Wanjala Bunyira

Mr. Gabriel Wanjala was employed in December 2012 as a welder and left employment on 07/12/2016.  He was paid the following asterminal dues: -

-   Wages                     -                7,312. 00

-   House Allowance     -                1,097. 00

-   Overtime                  -                5,676. 00

-   Service gratuity        -              29,249. 00

Total                 43,334. 00

10. Simon O. Marienga

Mr. Marienga was employed in November 2013 and resigned in December 2014.  He was paid terminal dues amounting to Kshs.15,350/=.

11. Isaac Monos Muchewenge

Mr. Muchwenge was employed in September 2012 and deserted duty in June 2014 and he was eventually removed from the payroll.

12. Peter Kipkesho Murey

Mr. Murey was employed as a mechanic in September 2013 and left without informing anyone therefore was treated a deserter.

The following employees are still working–

1. Kevin Omondi Ongere

2. Moses W. Katami

3. Humphrey K. Chebuya

4. Stephen Simiyu

5. Kevin Shigoli Ngaira

6. David Kipketer Chepkwony

7. Hillary Birgen

8. Anthony Obindi Mudasia

9. Peter Naleso Azenga

10. Peter Kemboi

NOTES

Note I – Underpayment

The underpayments arrears as demanded by claimants is outrageous in the sense that the counsel calculated it basing on hourly rate which is not provided for in the Building and Construction Industry Wages Order.  This order provides that employees in the category of drivers, artisans, general workers be paid on daily rate only.  There is no provision for payment of wages on hourly rate.

Note II – Lost hours

Lost hours cannot be explained but it is assumed to be the overtime.  This claim is not valid in the sense that all employees who worked extra hours were paid overtime and this can be validated through the records presented by the counsel to the court.

Note III – N.S.S.F AND N.H.I.F Refunds

N.S.S.F and N.H.I.F are statutory deductions which claimants cannot ask for refunds from employer.  If the claimants have any sufficient reason to believe these deductions were not remitted then they can contact these organisations.

Note IV – House Allowance

This issue can be considered after verification of records. Where it is found that some of these claimants were not paid house allowance, then the claimants can claim for the same to a maximum of 12 months.”

The claimant’s counsel was directed to file written submissions as a basis for the preparation of judgment.  In the submissions filed on behalf of the claimants on 19th May 2017, counsel for the claimants states that they were grossly underpaid in contravention of the Regulation of Wages (General) (Amendment) Order, 2013.  It is further submitted that the claims are secured by an agreement reached between the respondent and its employees at Kitable-Webuye Road Project in a Return Work Formula executed on 13th September 2014 and witnessed by the County Labour Officer, Bungoma.  It is submitted that under the agreement remuneration would be guided by column 4 of the Wages Order.  It was further agreed that employees would be paid overtime promptly and house allowance as provided by law.

On overtime it is submitted that the employees worked for 12 hours daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. thus putting in 14 hours of overtime daily that they worked for 7 days a week without a day off as provided in Section 27 of the Employment Act.

On the prayer for annual leave it is submitted that the claimants were nether allowed time to take their annual leave nor compensated for forfeiting the same.

The payers in respect of House Allowance, NSSF, NHIF deductions and PAYE were abandoned.  The revised claims for each claimants is as summarised below –

1ST CLAIMANT – LEONARD KILWAKE CHEBUSIRE

Underpayments                  Kshs.436,800/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.336,000/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.814,800/=

2ND CLAIMANT – DAVID NGIGI MUGO

Underpayments                  Kshs.412,800/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.357,000/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.811,800/=

3RD CLAIMANT – ESAU MUGAMBI MUKHOLA

Underpayments                  Kshs.594,000/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.462,000/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                KSHS.1,098,000/=

4TH CLAIMANT – LABAN KASIEVELA

Underpayments                  Kshs.656,400/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.525,000/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.84,000/=

TOTAL                KSHS.1,265,400/=

5TH CLAIMANT – BENSON KITAVI MUTUA

Underpayments                  Kshs.564,000/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.441,000/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                KSHS.1,047,000/=

6TH CLAIMANT – JOHN MUKOMA ANDANJE

Underpayments                  Kshs.602,400/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.588,000/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.84,000/=

TOTAL                KSHS.1,274,440/=

7TH CLAIMANT – JOHN WANYONYI KHAMALA

Underpayments                  Kshs.293,600/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.231,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.524,600/=

8TH CLAIMANT –KEVIN OMONDI ONGERE

Underpayments                  Kshs.225,200/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.160,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.385,200/=

9TH CLAIMANT – PETER NALESO AZENGA

Underpayments                  Kshs.318,000/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.252,000/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.612,000/=

10TH CLAIMANT – JACOB W. WANYAMA

Underpayments                   Kshs.180,000/=

Lost hours                           Kshs.126,000/=

TOTAL                    KSHS.346,920/=

11TH CLAIMANT – SIMON O. MARIENGA

Underpayments                  Kshs.452,400/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.273,000/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.767,400/=

12TH CLAIMANT – PETER KIPKESHO MOREY

Underpayments                  Kshs.392,000/=

Lost hours                          Kshs.294,000/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                  KSHS.728,000/=

13TH CLAIMANT – PETER KIPWAMBOK KEMBOI

Underpayments                  Kshs.336,000/=

Lost hours/overtime           Kshs.252,000/=

Annual leave                        Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.630,000/=

14TH CLAIMANT – ANTHONY UBINDI MUDASIA

Underpayments                  Kshs.282,000/=

Lost hours/overtime           Kshs.210,000/=

TOTAL                   KSHS.492,000/=

15TH CLAIMANT – MOSES KATAMI

Underpayments                        Kshs.252,000/=

Lost hours/overtime                 Kshs.189,000/=

TOTAL                         KSHS.441,000/=

16TH CLAIMANT – DAVID CHOMBA GATHONI

Underpayments                        Kshs.336,000/=

Lost hours/overtime                 Kshs.252,000/=

House Allowance                        Kshs.75,600/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                         KSHS.630,000/=

17TH CLAIMANT – HUMPHREY K. CHEBUYA

Underpayments                        Kshs.134,400/=

Lost hours/overtime                   Kshs.84,000/=

TOTAL                         KSHS.218,400/=

18TH CLAIMANT – LAWRENCE EDWASI EKOMBE

Underpayments                        Kshs.753,200/=

Lost hours/overtime                 Kshs.462,000/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.84,000/=

Pay in lieu of notice                  Kshs.126,000/=

TOTAL                      KSHS.1,425,400/=

19TH CLAIMANT – STEPHEN SIMIYU

Underpayments                        Kshs.762,588/=

Lost hours/overtime                 Kshs.504,400/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.84,000/=

TOTAL                     KSHS.1, 350,988/=

20TH CLAIMANT – KEVIN SHIGOLI NGAYIRA

Underpayments                        Kshs.570,000/=

Lost hours/overtime                 Kshs.525,000/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.84,000/=

TOTAL                      KSHS.1,179,000/=

21ST CLAIMANT – DAVID KIPKETER CHEPKWONY

Underpayments                        Kshs.528,240/=

Lost hours/overtime                 Kshs.443,880/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.65,760/=

TOTAL                                KSHS.1,037,880/=

22ND CLAIMANT – ISAAC MANOS MUCHWENGE

Underpayments                        Kshs.626,400/=

Lost hours/overtime                 Kshs.609,000/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.42,000/=

TOTAL                      KSHS.1,227,400/=

23RD CLAIMANT – HILLARY BIRGENT

Underpayments                        Kshs.272,400/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.219,600/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.29,280/=

TOTAL                         KSHS.521,280/=

24TH CLAIMANT – GABRIEL WANJALA BUNYANYA

Underpayments                        Kshs.392,208/=

Lost hours                                Kshs.351,360/=

Annual leave                              Kshs.58,584/=

TOTAL                           KSHS.802,152/=

The claimants relied on the case of –

1. Evans Katiezo Aligulah -v- Eldomatt Wholesale and Supermarket Limited [2016] eKLR.

2. John Rioba Maugo -v- Riley Falcon Security Services Limited [2016] eKLR.

3. Kenya Guards and Allied Workers Union -v- Lavington Security Limited [2013] eKLR.

Determination

I have carefully considered the pleadings, the documents filed therewith, the County Labour Officer’s report and the submissions filed on behalf of the claimants.  It is not in dispute that all the claimants worked for the respondent at one time or other.

The issues for determination are therefore whether or not the claimants were underpaid and if they are owed any underpayments, overtime and/or annual leave by the respondent.

1. Underpayments

In the claim it is stated that the claimants worked in different capacities as operators, mechanics, machine attendants, artisans, technicians and one as secretary.  The County Labour Officer states that the claimants were engaged in the following capacities and were paid as set out in the table below–

NAME ID TRADE STARTED TIME ENDED BEFORE RATE CURRENT RATE STATUS

1. Jacob Wamalwa Wanyama 3808267 Mechanic 05/2014 07/2015 400 13,580

2. Kevin Omondi Ongere 25532960 Mechanic 04/2014

520 13,580 Working

3. David Ngigi Mugo 9026625 Plant Mechanic 06/2013

600 19,474

4. Benson Kitavi Mutua 23050393 Plant Mechanic 03/2013

520 13,000 Fought with

5. David Chomba Gathoni 14569906 Plant Mechanic 12/2013 01/2015 480 10,071

6. Leonard Kilwake Chebusire 22442258 Welder 07/2013 06/2016 520 15,434

7. Moses W. Katami 11096062 Mechanic 01/2014

480 11,825. 50 Working

8. Peter Kipkesho Murey 28340248 Mechanic 09/2013

480 11,000

9. Humphrey K. Chebuya 28219376 Greaser 08/2014

320 9,679. 05 Working

10. Esau Mugambi Mukhola 14461114 Mechanic 12/2012 04/2014 640 15,434

11. Laban Kasievela 0845726 Mechanic 11/2012

640 15,434

12. Lawrence Edwasi Ekombe 11330115 Mechanic 09/2012

520 12,000

13. Stephen Simiyu 9685054 Carpenter 12/2012

480 10,000 Working

14. Kevin Shigoli Ngayira 30942848 Excavator 12/2012

640 19,474 Working

15. David Kipketer Chepkwony 8029503 Welder 09/2012

480 15,434 Working

16. Hillary Birgen 74447488 Com Driver 08/2013

440 16,000 Working

17. Gabriel Wanjala Bunyanya 10430549 Welder 12/2013

440 13,534 Working

18. Anthony Ubindi Mudasia 12633181 Mechanic 12/2013

560 13,534

19. Isaac Manos Muchwenge

09/2012

640 19,474

20. John Mukoma Andanje 10920356 Welder 09/2012

640 15,300 Working

21. John Wanyonyi Khamala 9043778 Plant Mechanic 12/2013

520 15,434 Working

22. Peter Kipwambok Kemboi 24507369 Tyreman 11/2013

520 13,000 Working

23. Peter Naleso Azenga 4161888 Driver 11/2013

520 13,000 Working

24. Simon O. Marienga 10131507 Greaser 11/2013

320 6,500

Based on the findings of the Labour Officer which are not contested in the claimant’s written submissions, I find that what is recorded as "current pay" is not below the statutory minimum rate of pay relevant to the job in which each of the claimants was engaged.

It is pleaded in the claim that the respondent undertook to pay statutory minimum rates in the Return to Work Formula dated 13th September 2014 and the respondent appears to have complied.

I therefore find no proof of underpayments and dismiss the prayer.

2. Overtime/Lost Hours

The claimants allege that they worked 12 hours each day for 7 days without a break.  I have checked the few time sheets that have been filed in court together with the payslips.  The hours worked are clearly recorded.  The time sheets even recorded the hours worked as normal overtime paid at 1. 5 hourly rates and overtime for public holidays and rest days paid at double (2 times) the normal hourly rates.  The same is also reflected in the payslips.  This means that all overtime worked was recorded and paid as is reflected in the time sheets and payslips.

The claim for overtime/lost hours accordingly fails and is dismissed.

3. Annual leave

The respondent did not deny that it did not pay the claimants annual leave. Section 28 of the Employment Act provides for payment of annual leave for any employee who has worked for a minimum of two months.  None of the claimants worked for less than two months.  Each of them is therefore entitled to annual leave at the rate of 1. 75 days for each month worked.

The respondent is directed to compute and pay the claimants all leave due from date of recruitment to date of either leaving employment or to date of filing suit being December 2014.

Conclusion

In conclusion judgment is entered for the claimants against the respondent in respect of annual leave only, the claims for underpayments and lost hours/overtime having been dismissed for want of proof.

This will however apply only to those employees who had not left employment of the respondent at the time of preparation of the County Labour Officer’s report.  This exclude Jacob Wamalwa Wanyama, David Ngigi Mugo, Benison K. Mutua, Laban Kisiekela, David Choruba, Leonard K. Chebusire, John Mukoma Andanje, Esau Mugambi Mukhola, Gabriel Wanjala Bunyira, Simon O. Marienga, Isaac Monos Muchwenge and Peter Kipkesho Murey.  All these claimants left the employment of the respondent and were paid full terminal dues as stated in the report of the County Labour Officer which has not been disputed in the respondent’s submissions.

The respondent will pay costs of the suit on the lower scale as the bulk of the claim has been dismissed and also taking into account that the case was determined on pleadings and documents without calling evidence.

DATED AND SIGNED AT NAIROBI ON THIS 4TH DAY OF JUNE 2018

MAUREEN ONYANGO

JUDGE

DATED AND DELIVERED AT KISUMU ON THIS 5TH DAY OF JULY 2018

MATHEWS NDERI NDUMA

JUDGE