The Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) has moved to address the delayed payment of salaries and terminal dues owed to employees of Hela Intimates EPZ Limited.
This comes after workers staged protests and disrupted normal operations within the Ather River EPZ area on Labour Day, claiming that Hela Intimates EPZ, a company operating within the zone, unlawfully terminated their contracts without due process and failed to pay their salaries.
In a statement issued on May 2, 2026, EPZA stated that it conducted a fact-finding engagement with relevant stakeholders following concerns raised by the Tailors and Textiles Workers Union (TTWU).
EPZA Says It Is Engaging Hela Intimates EPZ Ltd Over Delayed Workers’ Salaries and Terminal Dues
According to the Authority, the review confirmed that the company had committed to settle all terminal dues by 30th April 2026. Salaries for March 2026 for unionized employees have since been paid.
The Authority further confirmed that salaries for March 2026 for unionized employees have already been paid. However, it noted that the payment of terminal dues remains outstanding.
“As at the date of this statement, settlement of terminal dues remains outstanding. The Authority, in collaboration with TTWU and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, is actively engaging the company’s management to ensure full compliance without further delay,” EPZA stated.
The Authority, which regulates export processing zones in Kenya, expressed concern over the welfare of affected workers, noting that their livelihoods depend on the timely payment of dues.
“EPZA remains deeply concerned about the welfare of the affected employees, whose livelihoods depend on the timely and full settlement of their earnings,” the statement read.
EPZA has urged the affected employees to remain calm and reassured them that the matter is under the Government’s active and close supervision.
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EPZA Workers Protest
Workers at the Export Processing Zone in Athi River, Machakos County, have accused the government and the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) of abandoning them in their time of desperation, exploitation, and need.
They further called on the government to enforce stricter regulations on companies operating in EPZs, claiming that many firms evade paying employees by abruptly shutting down operations and later reopening under different names.
COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli and Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, during the May 1 Labour Day celebrations, acknowledged awareness of the plight of workers, stating that a solution is underway.
“Your Excellency, we wish to draw your attention to the growing challenges facing Kenyan workers within the EPZ, where we are witnessing the emergence of companies not honoring freely negotiated collective bargaining agreements,” Atwoli said.
In response, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua assured that the government is already handling the matter.
“I want to assure you, Atwoli, that the issue of EPZ is one that I am well-versed on, and we are dealing with it. We will be able to finish it,” Mutua said.
