James Finlay Kenya has confirmed suspending two people adversely talked about in a BBC investigative story alleging sexual harassment of informal labourers on tea farms in Kericho.
In an announcement on Tuesday, January 21, the worldwide agency stated it had terminated its settlement with John Chebochok’s firm Sislo Holdings.
Chebochok, who in line with BBC was fired earlier than the documentary aired early this week, was captured by secret cameras demanding sexual favours from girls in return for jobs on the tea farms.
Terming the testimony of the victims as “deeply surprising and upsetting”, Finlays stated it has supplied direct employment to all 300 contractors who had been working with the corporate by Sislo to make sure their livelihoods will not be affected.
The corporate stated John Asava, who was additionally filmed preying on girls employees in alternate for employment, has been sacked.
Finlays famous that each Chebochok and Asava have been barred from coming into the corporate premises.
“There isn’t a place for behaviour of this type anyplace in our enterprise. We firmly imagine that everybody ought to really feel protected after they come to work at Finlays. That’s the reason now we have sturdy insurance policies and procedures in place – equivalent to complete steerage to workers, detailed and steady coaching programmes, an nameless third-party whistle-blowing hotline, in addition to devoted welfare and medical workers accessible on website – to stop abuse of any variety,” Finlays stated within the assertion.
Additional, the corporate stated Chebochok and Asava have been reported to Kenyan Police for investigation and additional motion.
“We are going to proceed to work carefully with the police, sharing any extra data that outcomes from investigations,” the corporate added.
The agency additionally confirmed that an impartial investigation has been launched to “absolutely perceive what occurred and the place we will enhance”.
“This investigation will cowl two key areas – firstly, inspecting the particular instances of exploitation raised inside the programme; secondly, the place we will enhance our method to stopping and addressing any sexual violence, abuse, or harassment throughout the James Finlay Kenya websites,” Finlays added.
“The primary a part of the investigation will likely be led by the Kenyan legislation agency Bowmans, whereas the second half will likely be led by moral working practices NGO Associate Africa, which specialises in figuring out dangers to folks and implementing sturdy safety requirements.”
Within the BBC investigation, one lady stated she had been contaminated with HIV by her supervisor, after being pressured into having intercourse with him.
One other lady stated a divisional supervisor stopped her job till she agreed to have intercourse with him.
“It’s simply torture; he needs to sleep with you, then you definitely get a job,” she stated.
The expose sparked outrage from members of the general public and lawmakers who’re demanding rapid motion in opposition to the agency and the perpetrators.
Nationwide Meeting Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei ordered a committee of MPs to finish an investigation into the allegations inside two weeks.
