Unionisable workers in tea-growing firms allied to Eastern Produce Kenya (EPK) are set to get a pay hike after signing of a revised Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU).

More than 6,000 workers at Nandi County-based EPK firms got an 8 per cent backdated general wage hike for 2022 and 7 per cent hike for 2023 in the CBA adopted on Wednesday.

The CBA was signed after extensive talks between officials of EPK led by its Director Leah Kibii Chirchir and HR and Administration Manager Fancy Mosore on one side and KPAWU officials led by COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli and his deputy Thomas Kipkemboi.

Chirchir intimated that the company will continue to prioritise the welfare of its employees in spite of the current economic challenges that the agricultural firm are grappling with.

“We continue to celebrate our unionisable employees for putting in the hard work required to deliver world-class teas to the market,” said Chirchir.

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She added, “Our business ventures’ operating and profit margins have fallen due to the global economic climate. Still, we are committed to continue securing EPK’s position as an employer of choice.”

EPK provides extension services to 7,500 smallholders by taking in their green leaf to process into quality black tea while boosting compliance with global labour standards.