A letter from the company’s Human Resource Manager, seen by the Kenyan bulletin revealed that a lay off was necessary as a result of redundancy. Choppies supermarket had issued termination letters to over 200 workers after it announced its plan to exit the Kenyan market.
The employees received a one month notice by the retailer, who attributed the layoff to reduced business. The letter followed conversations with the Kenya Union of Commercial Food and Allied Workers (KUCFAW) for a suitable compensation plan.
“This termination is due to reduced business which has been running for several months…the company is unable to sustain the current wage bill noting that business has gone down,” read the letter signed by Choppies HR Manager Joshua Were.
Additionally, the supermarket advised employees transitioning out not to report to their stations during the notice period. The notice ends on September 30, 2019. However, the individuals will receive salaries up to the end of September.
Still, the retailer requires its affected workers to clear with the company before September 15.
