COTU secretary general, Francis Atwoli has approved the firing of more than 50,000 employees, most of who work in the Horticulture industry as active farmers.
Alongside the Agricultural Employers Association (AEA), the trade union is set to declare the employees redundant and send them home unsalaried, as Corona Virus continues to wreck the horticulture industry that relies on exports 100%.
According to representatives from AEA, the decision to send the employees packing was reached after thorough examination of the fruitless and redundant sections. It’s alleged that the bulk of the 50, 000 employees are those involved in flower growing phase. The few that work in the export of fresh commodity are still operational as the companies’ monitor the crisis.
It’s reported that since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, close to 5 companies have closed camp and shown their workers the door. With operations in most countries halted to contain the deadly corona virus, there is zero exchange of goods.
For instance, statistics show that the horticulture industry has lost 8 billion in revenue since Covid-19 set camp in various countries. This implies that the industry is highly sustainable and will be off its feet suppose the virus runs for too long.
