Eggs inching closer to the price of chicken

By our reporter

For many years, semi-autonomous workers like freelance contractors have suffered in the hands of employers in Kenya. They experience lack of fundamental benefits such as pension and maternity leaves, and suffer unilateral disciplinary actions and income uncertainties.

The recent report by Australian consultancy Fairworks Kenya 2021 Labor Standards in the Gig Economy revealed that the workers undergo difficulties that threaten their health and finances.

The study reveals that employees are not guaranteed to earn above the minimum net earnings.

It is important to note that there are regulations that have been implemented in favour of an employee to ensure that they are not exploited at the workplace. For instance, section 46 of the Labour Institutions Act 2007 provides the minimum salary for drivers in different locations.

This is not the case on the ground. For example, Uber drivers are paid on the basis of performance. The uncertainty sometimes makes them to operate extra hours or even violate some of the regulations to get reasonable returns.

Peter Karanja, a taxi driver, reveals that since the onset of the pandemic, he had to operate within thin expenditures as much as possible to generate some income.

“The situation is difficult. Everyone is fighting for a coin; therefore, I cannot ask for leave of absence because I will go unpaid and I will be risking losing my job,” Karanja observes.

According to the Fairworks’ report, the gig workers operate outside the existing labour laws, resulting in the payment of fees or commissions that fall below the minimum wages. It continues by indicating that the plat- forms have therefore been able to circumvent statutory obligations by ensuring that their contracts with workers do not align within any of the categories in the Employment Act.

“Everything is done depending on the output. This is a matter that should be evaluated thoroughly to ensure the wellbeing of any worker at any given station. We are seeing people being fired from work in the morning without allowing them to explain themselves. This is devastating,” he adds.

Moreover, the work environment has completely changed.

“Because of the rampart technology where employment is taking another direction, unlike the module where people go to work and get a salary, there is need to formulate other rules,” he urges.

According to Karanja, the Kenyan Employment Act does not cater for employment in newer platforms brought about by either emerging technology or pandemics.

It can be assumed that during the amendment of laws, the current structure of work was not anticipated. As a result, there should be amendments in labour laws so as to bring people to even levels.

“This calls upon lawmakers to champion the amendment of the rules to fit the current situation. The labour Unions are also not left behind. They should realize that the workers, mostly the semi-independent contractors, are anguishing, living a gambling life because of the exploitation of the employers,” a digital strategist Ann Mukami in Kitengela says.

“We are experiencing companies, mostly those that have invested heavily in technology, harvesting more profits but the workers are plunging into poverty. It is time that we changed the labour laws in line with the changing world,” she adds.

In recent times, employment-related organizations have been showing interest by raising concerns on the subject.

By our reporter

The shortage of eggs has seen its price jump 25 per cent within a month, piling pressure on household budgets as the cost of living soars.

Metropolitan Shopper has learnt that a crate of eggs retails at Ksh450 in Kitengela town mid-February, an increase from Ksh360 in January. One egg ranges between Ksh15 to Ksh20 from Ksh10 to Ksh12 previously.

This is coming closer to the price of an average chicken.

Traders attribute the sharp increase to short supply locally as farmers cut down on their stocks due to the high prices of feeds. Besides, the stiff surveillance at Uganda-Kenya border has stopped smuggling of eggs from the neighbouring country, making the situation dire.

“The supply of eggs has really gone down in the market. This has made us increase the price of the commodi- ty,” Ann Chebet, a trader in Kitengela says.

Majority of the population supplements the product with other meals. According to Ann, affordability as compared to meat moves the product faster, therefore, even if the price is hiked, people have no other option but buy.

“Currently I am selling an egg at Ksh15, but there are places going for Ksh20,” she said.

She notes that the hike in fuel had not yet affected the commodity, adding that her supplier had reduced the number of crates she usually supplies her to 10 from 15 weekly.

When contacted, Agnes Biketi, the said supplier, said she had to balance her clients for everyone to get eggs as the demand had risen.

“I value my clients, as a result, I have to divide equally,” she said.

She also increased the price because of a corresponding increase in the price of feeds, plus the demand in the market.

“Since last year, the price of layers mash has been on the upward trend. A 50 kilogramme bag costs Ksh3,200 from Ksh2,500,” she revealed.

The high cost of feeds is attributed to expensive maize and a shortage of key protein supplements such as sunflower cake and soy, which are hardly found locally.

Kenya highly depended on Zambia for the ingredients, which banned its exports to protect its market.

The price of soy doubled to Ksh65 a kilogramme from August last year, while sunflower meal rose to Ksh35 from Ksh25.

Agnes reveals that there are many people who have abandoned the business because of expensive feeds. On the other hand, those who trade in boiled eggs have increased the price from Ksh20 to Ksh25. However, some have quit the business to venture into other alternatives.