Atwoli asks Govt to protect flower farm staff from job loss
Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary-general Francis Atwoli speaks to the media in Nakuru County on April 4, 2018. He called on the government to protect workers at Oserian flower farm, Naivasha, from lay-offs. PHOTO | AYUB MUIYURO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Atwoli says the country’s largest flower company has been exploiting workers and undermining their welfare.
- But Oserian denies the claims of mass dismissals, saying the contracts for 2,500 workers expired on March 30
Central Organisation of Trade Union Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has asked the government to protect Oserian flower farm workers from exploitation and loss of jobs.
The Cotu boss warned of a strike of all flower company workers in the country to protest “bad labour practices” at the Naivasha firm.
Mr Atwoli said the country’s largest flower company has been exploiting workers and undermining their welfare.
According to Mr Atwoli, the company has been arbitrarily dismissing its employees and turning their permanent jobs into casual ones.
DISMISSALS
He urged Labour Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani to shield employees from practices “that have seen Oserian Development Company lay off about 2,500 workers”.
“Thousands of workers are losing jobs every day due to illegal practices by employers. I appeal to the government to protect them,” Mr Atwoli said in Nakuru Town on Friday.
“The government should not allow indirect slavery.”
However, Oserian communications officer Catherine Riungu denied the claims of mass dismissals.
She said the contracts for the 2,500 workers expired on March 30, adding that the company would not renew the agreements because of an internal reorganisation.
