Causes of industrial unrests in kenya: a case study of ruaraka export processing zone

Abstract

The study reported in this project was aimed at determining the challenges facing employees in the Export Processing Zones in Kenya. The impact of EPZs on employment and exports in developing countries is often far from negligible, although it would be an exaggeration to say that they are a key factor in development strategies. In this context, it was important to highlight the threat to the durability and potential of EPZs, particularly from evolutions in world trade policies. The purpose of this study was to analyse the employment function of the EPZs by assessing the challenges that face employees within the firms. This was achieved by assessing the effects of physical working conditions, staff remuneration, leadership styles and level of training on the performance of workers within the firms. The study was descriptive. Data was collected using questionnaires that were administered to the employees of the Epzs in Ruaraka, Nairobi. The target population was all the EPZ workers in Kenya. Stratified random sampling method was used to draw a sample of 160 workers to be used for this study. The data was analysed by generating descriptive statistics such as percentages, and measures of central tendency. The data was presented by using tables, charts and cross tabulations. SPSS (statistical software package) was used to generate the descriptive statistics and to establish the relation between the dependent and the independent variables of study. The findings of the study was able to show how the nature of working conditions, leadership styles, remuneration, and the level of training affect the performance of workers within the EPZ in Kenya.