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- Feb 16, 2018
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Some 2,500 workers from Oserian flower farm in Naivasha have been sacked as part of the company’s restructuring plan.
The workers, who were on contract, were laid off yesterday and directed to collect their dues from local banks, after declining terms from a private company hired to outsource their services.
“Oserian has been sacking permanent workers for the last two years,” Ferdinand Juma told the Star on the phone. Juma is the secretary general of the Kenya Plantations and Agricultural Workers Union, Naivasha.
The firing comes barely two years after the neighbouring Sher Karuturi flower farm closed its door and sent home more than 2,000 workers after it was placed under receivership.
In the latest case, Juma said the workers earned Sh13,000 inclusive of their house allowance, but the Manpower Company wanted to pay them Sh8,000.
Addressing the press in Naivasha town, the workers accused their employer of taking advantage of high unemployment in Naivasha to fire their staff at will.
Peterson Wanjala, who has worked in the farm for 15 years, said he was not sure where to turn to after the sack. He rejected the new terms as unfair and inhuman.
“There are hundreds of people outside flower farms gates waiting for employment regardless of the low salary and the employers know this, hence the frequent sackings,” he said.
Fellow worker Jane Atieno said it was a well-calculated move to lower their salaries through the private company.
“Oserian has outsourced nearly all its services, including flower farming and security, and the new companies are keen to maximise their profits and further impoverish the workers,” she said.
Area MCA Peter Pallang’a promised to raise the issue in the Nakuru county assembly, saying labour is increasingly being casualised.
“It’s a dark day for Naivasha that over 2,500 workers have been sent home at a time when the poverty levels are on the rise and the economy is doing badly,” the Olkaria MCA said.
Contacted on phone, the flower farm MD Neil Hellings denied that the workers had been sacked.
“No one has been sacked as you claim, and our public relations persons shall get back to you with the full information,” he said.
Oserian Flower sacks 2,500 workers to reduce wage bill
The workers, who were on contract, were laid off yesterday and directed to collect their dues from local banks, after declining terms from a private company hired to outsource their services.
“Oserian has been sacking permanent workers for the last two years,” Ferdinand Juma told the Star on the phone. Juma is the secretary general of the Kenya Plantations and Agricultural Workers Union, Naivasha.
The firing comes barely two years after the neighbouring Sher Karuturi flower farm closed its door and sent home more than 2,000 workers after it was placed under receivership.
In the latest case, Juma said the workers earned Sh13,000 inclusive of their house allowance, but the Manpower Company wanted to pay them Sh8,000.
Addressing the press in Naivasha town, the workers accused their employer of taking advantage of high unemployment in Naivasha to fire their staff at will.
Peterson Wanjala, who has worked in the farm for 15 years, said he was not sure where to turn to after the sack. He rejected the new terms as unfair and inhuman.
“There are hundreds of people outside flower farms gates waiting for employment regardless of the low salary and the employers know this, hence the frequent sackings,” he said.
Fellow worker Jane Atieno said it was a well-calculated move to lower their salaries through the private company.
“Oserian has outsourced nearly all its services, including flower farming and security, and the new companies are keen to maximise their profits and further impoverish the workers,” she said.
Area MCA Peter Pallang’a promised to raise the issue in the Nakuru county assembly, saying labour is increasingly being casualised.
“It’s a dark day for Naivasha that over 2,500 workers have been sent home at a time when the poverty levels are on the rise and the economy is doing badly,” the Olkaria MCA said.
Contacted on phone, the flower farm MD Neil Hellings denied that the workers had been sacked.
“No one has been sacked as you claim, and our public relations persons shall get back to you with the full information,” he said.
Oserian Flower sacks 2,500 workers to reduce wage bill