Kenyan salonists and barbers have threatened to boycott international beauty brands, demanding fair treatment and permission to join workers' unions.
The Kenya Union of Hair and Beauty Workers, led by General Secretary Cecile Mwangi, has accused some foreign companies of worker discrimination, union suppression, and unfair dismissals.
According to Mwangi, employees in Kenya’s beauty sector struggle to join labor unions, and those who try to join face threats and terminations from employers who oppose unionization.
Mwangi revealed that despite their crucial role in the industry, the workers have been left vulnerable and unable to champion for better wages and working conditions by not joining unions.
Following the frustrations, Mwangi and her union have decided to hit back by mobilizing salons and barbershops across the country to refuse to use products from these manufacturers.
"We have decided as a union unless these manufacturing companies allow workers to join the union, we are now going to work together with the salons and barber shops to make sure that they boycott their products because they are making sure that the workers don't join the union," Mwangi threatened.
"If workers join the union, they are immediately terminated, which has led to widespread discrimination in hairpiece manufacturing companies. To make matters worse, these employers are international investors, yet we, as locals, are the ones using their products. They either allow their workers to join unions, or we will boycott their products," Mwangi emphasized.
Mwangi was speaking during the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Shopstewards meeting at Solidarity Headquarters, headed by Secretary General Francis Atwoli.
The annual gathering brings together shop stewards, who are workplace representatives for trade unions, to discuss key labor issues and preparations for Labour Day celebrations.
The discussions surround ways to strengthen workers' rights and ensure fair treatment in various industries.
As the Labour Day celebrations approach, Atwoli encouraged the unionists present at the event to attend the celebrations, as he promised to convince President William Ruto to give goodies to them.
"We have prepared demands, the cost of living is rising and things have to change, so we will issue these demands during the celebrations to ease life for workers," Atwoli promised.
