The directors of James Finlay (Kenya) Limited have announced the decision to shut down two flower farms Chemirei and Tarakwet, sending over 1000 workers home by in two months time.
The 1,100 workers will now be rendered jobless by Christmas 2019.
Stephen Scott, the Finlays Flowers General Manager in a signed letter dated October 18, 2019 stated that the company’s directors had decided to shut down flower farming operations as a result of severe challenges, including extreme weather conditions, weakening exchange rates, and high labour costs.
The company had in April 26, 2018, announced that it would draw the curtains on the two farms in December 2020, but has now been forced to shut down earlier than expected.
Series of closures
In April 2018, the company laid-off 2000 staff from their Kericho farm citing high staff expenses and strikes that have made the farm ‘uneconomical and uncompetitive’.
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