Ruth’s account explained: “I am Ruth Matahi, a clerical worker in Kenya for a key customer of yours, Agility. We carry BAT’s tobacco in our trucks. Along with some 165 Agility truckers, clerical and warehouse workers I would like safe and decent working conditions. Unfortunately the company has responded aggressively to our plea.
“Last week, in Kenya, Agility security guards manhandled me for turning up to work. They treated me as an intruder and pushed a desk out of the way to get at me. They grabbed my blouse and tore it. Agility was angry because I challenged a decision to transfer me to thousands of miles away from home. I am an active union member and have been encouraging my fellow workers to join the union.” (Read the whole message here.)
Agility’s Kenyan management is guilty of dangerous and violent tactics against workers and their choice of trade union – see http://goo.gl/A66uL1.
ITF Africa regional secretary Joe Katende reported that two people sent from Agility’s Dubai office to look into what’s happening had been shocked by what they found. Agility has to act to cut out the rot, he said, and ensure that the workers get the union protection that they want and need.
Unite and IUF (International Union of Food, Agricultural and Hospitality Workers), representatives also used the AGM to launch a report on North Carolina tobacco farmworkers.
Follow the news about Agility on Twitter at #agilityunionrightsnow
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