HR body condemns cases of sexual harassment in Kericho tea plantations
The Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) has condemned cases of sexual harassment of employees and job seekers in the tea sector which were exposed this week in a BBC documentary.
In the documentary, Sex for Work, the BBC established that scores of women have been abused by their managers and supervisors at tea plantations run by two British companies, Unilever and James Finlay.
In a statement, the statutory body’s Executive Director Quresha Abdullahi, said employers need to be protected from sexual harassment.
Also read: Kate Actress’ outrage over ‘sex for work’ expose in Kericho tea farm companies
“Employees have a duty of care and are required to have policies and procedures in place to prevent and address sexual harassment and they are obligated to provide their employees with a safe working environment that is free from sexual harassment,” Abdullahi said.
Abdullahi also said employers could fulfill their duty of care in fighting sexual harassment by implementing clear policies, providing training, having a clear reporting structure, and creating a culture that promotes respect and equality in the workplace.
“Employers should have a clear process for responding to complaints of sexual harassment such as investigating complaints promptly and thoroughly, taking appropriate disciplinary action against offenders,” she said.
Also, employers should provide counseling services and legal assistance to victims. They should also regularly review and monitor their policies and procedures to ensure they are effective in preventing and addressing sexual harassment in the workplace.
Also read: Kericho governor Erick Mutai demands arrest of sex abuse bosses following BBC expose
Parliament has already ordered an inquiry into the allegations revealed in the BBC documentary that showed managers from the named companies coercing desperate women seeking jobs into giving sexual favours in return for work.
James Finlay Kenya in response sacked two contractors and also offered the contractors’ employees direct jobs at the multinational.
“We have terminated our agreement with John Asava and John Chebochok’s company Sislo Holdings. All 300 contractors who were working with us through Sislo have been offered direct employment to ensure their livelihoods are not affected – 98 per cent have accepted,” the company said in a statement.
Also read: Tanzania investigating sale of illegal premium Kenyan tea in their country