Almost 300 Bharti Airtel call centre agents in Kenya have downed tools and are demanding a pay increase from their current salaries, according to a report.

According Techmtaa.com the workers, who were contracted through outsourcing company Spanco, went on strike yesterday demanding a pay rise of between 200% to 500%,

The workers claim that other operators pay their workers as much as $828 per month, while they earn $178 per month.

Spanco, which was contracted by Airtel to handle Airtel's customer care services for voice, data and Airtel money services, says the strike has affected customer care services at Airtel.

In a company statement it said, "Our staff, who are all Spanco employees, have declined to resume duties, affecting the contact centre services to our customers including Airtel Kenya."

"We regret any inconveniences caused to affected customers and our business partners and request patience and understanding as we work to reach a full resolution and resumption of normal service," it read.