Nakumatt Supermarkets has suspended more than 30 employees and threatened to fire them on the grounds of participating in a strike two weeks ago.
Francis Kamotho, who is the retailer's Human Resource Manager, has suspended the employees for two weeks (August 15 to August 30) for what he terms as participating in "illegal" industrial action.
“You are asked to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for participating in the illegal strike.
“In the event that your explanation is not received within the stipulated period, it shall be assumed that you have no explanation to offer and disciplinary action shall be taken against you which may include summary dismissal," he stated.
The suspended employees were further warned against visiting Nakumatt stores until the end of the month when they are expected to report to their respective branch managers.
The employees, through the Kenya Union of Commercial Food and Allied Workers ( KUCFAW), have now moved to court accusing Nakumatt of delaying their salaries, failing to pay them for overtime worked.
Earlier in the month, operations at the regional retailer came to a halt after a section of workers downed their tools demanding payment of salaries.
The workers, who took their protests to Mombasa Road, were demanding payment of their June and July salaries.
Last month, Nakumatt sent a memo to its staff indicating that it would pay salaries in three instalments.
The instalments were to be split into 30 percent, 40 percent, and 30 percent over three weeks.
“The company has reviewed salary payment plans with an intention of ensuring that every employee gets a percentage of his/her salary every for a total of three weeks in a month,” read part of the memo.
