DOCUMENT NO: KK-WV-1.00
Statement of Commitment
Kakuzi Plc is committed to complying with all Kenyan labour laws and related international labour regulations.
We further commit to treat all employees, suppliers, service providers and contractors fairly and with respect. We require that all our employees, suppliers, service providers and contractors abide by the same.
Non-Discrimination
We do not discriminate in our labour and hiring policies and procedures along the lines of race, colour, gender, age, religion, social class, political tendencies, nationality, syndicate membership, sexual orientation, marital status or any other motive as indicated by applicable laws, the ILO Conventions 100 and 111.
Employees have access to employment, promotion, and training on equal terms, irrespective of gender, age, ethnic origin, colour, marital status, political opinion, religion or social origin.
Disciplinary and grievance procedures shall be followed without any discrimination whatsoever.
All forms of harassment including sexual harassment is strictly prohibited.
Working Conditions
We engage in fair employment practices and maintain a workplace free from any kind of discrimination, harassment or intimidation of employees and respect Kenyan labour laws and the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
We have a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, use of abusive language, threats, physical and intentional psychological mistreatment of employees.
The management shall formally and regularly consult and inform employees regarding any planned technical and organizational changes and their potential social, environmental and economic impacts.
Housing provided for our employees on the farm shall meet local legal requirements for housing and ILO housing guidelines for labour.
Regular inspection is done to ensure houses are hygienic, habitable, and maintained in a good state of repair to minimize health risks.
All employees living and working on the farm shall have access to potable water.
We have company run health facilities on the farm that provide medical services to employees and their nuclear family living on the farm.
Child Labour
It is prohibited to employ full-time or part-time employees under the age of 18 within our operations. We require our contractors, suppliers and service providers to comply with this. We have systems in place to ensure no children are employed in our operations.
National identification card is a prerequisite to employment.
We have assigned employees within our employee housing areas to check and ensure that all children of school going age attend school.
The company has set aside land within the farm and historically donated land in the surrounding community where several public nursery, primary and secondary schools have been built to ensure employees’ and children from the surrounding community access education.
Forced and Bonded Labour
Any type of forced, bonded or imprisoned labour is prohibited, including working under the regimen of involuntary imprisonment, in agreement with the ILO Conventions 29 and 105 and the national laws.
There shall be no use of forced, bonded or imprisoned labour within Kakuzi Plc.
Employees are NOT required to lodge "deposits” or their original identity papers with the company.
Freedom of Association and Right to Collective Bargaining
Employees have the right to freely organize and voluntarily negotiate their working conditions in a collective manner as established in the ILO Conventions 87 and 98 and in line with the national laws.
Kakuzi Plc respects the right of all employees to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively. We have signed a recognition agreement and a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Kenya Plantations and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU).
We adopt a positive approach towards the activities of the trade union and an objective attitude towards their organisational activities.
We allow trade union organisers to meet all employees, and allow employees to hold meetings and organise themselves as per the recognition agreement and the CBA.
We do not discriminate against employees on the basis of union membership or union activities.
Kakuzi Plc allows employee representatives to meet all the employees and have access to all workplaces necessary to enable them to carry out their functions as per the recognition agreement and the CBA.
Working Hours
Working hours, rest periods during the workday, the number of annual leave days, public holidays and rest days comply with current Kenyan labour laws and the Collective Baragaining Agreement.
We comply with applicable laws and industry standards on working hours. In any event, regular working hours and overtime shall not exceed 60 hours a week.
Overtime shall always be compensated in line with the Kenyan labour laws and the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Employees shall be entitled to at least one paid rest day in a 7-day sequence.
Fair Wages are paid
We have payment policies and procedures that guarantee the complete payment of workers in line with the Kenyan labour laws the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Employees receive pay in legal tender as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement or the legally established minimum wage, whichever is greater, according to their specific job.
Wages paid are equal for all work of equal value no matter the gender, or nature of contract.
Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure is not be permitted, nor are any deductions (apart from statutory deductions) which are not approved by the employee.
Salaries and wages are made regularly in legal tender and properly documented in the payslips.
Employees are entitled to annual leave in accordance with the Kenyan labour laws and the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Employees shall be granted sick leave in accordance with the Kenyan labour laws or within the terms of the CBA.
Female employees shall be entitled to maternity leave as determined by the employment act and the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Male employees shall be entitled to paternity leave as per the CBA and Kenyan labour laws.
Regular Employment is provided
Kakuzi Plc directly hires its workforce, except when a contractor is able to provide specialized or temporary services under the same environmental, social and labour conditions required by the laws of the country.
All permanent and temporary/seasonal employees shall be provided with legally binding employment contract signed by both parties detailing their obligations, rights, terms and conditions of employment. Employees shall be provided with a copy of the signed contract. Subsequent changes in terms and conditions shall be communicated in writing to employees. New employees will be inducted in matters of Sexual Harassment Awareness Reporting and Prevention (SHARP), Health and Safety, Human Rights and safe working procedures.
Terms of work, covering labour policies, procedures, rules and conditions as stated in a collective bargaining agreement and contained in the employment contract are offered and explained to the employees in the national languages.
Revision Date: November 2020 || Approved by MD || Revision No. 00/2020
