[Peterson Wanjala, one of the workers Oserian flower farm addressing the media after they were laid off on Tuesday morning by the company. Photo|Darren Bogoria]
Up to 2,500 workers from Oserian flower farm in Naivasha have been sacked as a part of the company’s restructuring plan. The workers who were on a contract basis were laid off on Tuesday morning and directed to collect their dues from local banks.
In the latest move, the workers declined new terms from a private company that had been hired to outsource their services by Oserian Company.
For the last two years, the company has been laying-off permanent workers and outsourcing their services using the private companies in a bid to reduce the wage bill.
Addressing the press in Naivasha town, Peterson Wanjala, who is one of the workers, accused the employer of taking advantage of high unemployment rates in Naivasha to fire staff at will.
“There are hundreds of people outside flower farms gates waiting for employment regardless of the low salary and the employers know this and hence the frequent sackings,” he said.
Area MCA Peter Pallang’a who accompanied the workers promised to raise the issue in the Nakuru County assembly noting that cases of casualization of labor are on the rise.
“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,” he said.
Contacted by phone, the flower farm MD Neil Hellings in a short conversation 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.