[2016] KEELRC 1043 (KLR)

[2016] KEELRC 1043 (KLR)

The court found that the grievant, having worked for over a decade in continuous service, was not a casual employee but entitled to regular employment status under Section 37 of the Employment Act. The respondent's contracts purporting to maintain casual status were unlawful and violated the grievant's rights to...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2016] KEELRC 1043 (KLR)
Parties
Applicant: Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union; Respondent: Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization
Court
Employment and Labour Relations Court
Court Station
Employment and Labour Relations Court at Mombasa
Jurisdiction
Kenya
Case Number
Cause 609 of 2014
Procedural Posture
Employment Cause / Final Judgment
Outcome
Claim partly allowed; termination declared unfair; compensation and damages awarded; reinstatement and other claims declined.
Legal Topics
Unfair Termination, Casual to Regular Conversion, Service Pay Entitlement, Compensation for Unfair Dismissal, General Damages for Unfair Labour Practices
Source Language
en
Employment and Labour Unfair Termination Casual to Regular Conversion Service Pay Entitlement Compensation for Unfair Dismissal General Damages for Unfair Labour Practices

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Parties

Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union

Applicant

Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Employment Cause / Final Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the grievant was a casual or regular employee at the time of termination.
  2. 2 Whether the termination of the grievant's employment was unfair and unlawful.
  3. 3 Whether the grievant is entitled to compensation, service pay, unpaid wages, and general damages.

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the grievant, having worked for over a decade in continuous service, was not a casual employee but entitled to regular employment status under Section 37 of the Employment Act. The respondent's contracts purporting to maintain casual status were unlawful and violated the grievant's rights to fair labour practices. The respondent failed to follow due process in terminating the grievant's employment, as it did not provide reasons or a hearing, breaching Sections 41, 43, and 45 of the Employment Act. However, the court also found the grievant contributed to the circumstances of his termination by failing to communicate his disagreement over additional duties and...

Court Disposition

Claim partly allowed; termination declared unfair; compensation and damages awarded; reinstatement and other claims declined.

Orders

  • The respondent shall pay the grievant Kshs. 21,580 as compensation for unfair termination.
  • The respondent shall pay the grievant Kshs. 1,820 for unpaid sewerage work.