Kilifi County government on Tuesday, January 17, issued a raft of conditions to a company in Kilifi, days after a viral video of a female employee with swollen and discoloured fingers surfaced online.
In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke Kilifi County Government ordered the company to avail valid medical certificates for all the food handlers and provide adequate protective equipment for all the Workers.
In addition, the company will be required to acquire a valid food hygiene license for the year 2023 as well as a realignment of its operations to comply with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles that govern food processing.
Other conditions imposed by the county government include providing adequate ventilation in the working areas and providing proper labelling for the packaged products.
Further, Kilifi County authorities ordered the company to stop its operations until the conditions are met.
"Note that failure to comply with this notice shall be a breach of the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substance Act Cap 254 of the laws of Kenya which shall necessitate further legal proceedings against you," the statement added.
The conditions were made after an inspection by Kilifi County's health department on Monday, January 16, to ascertain the reports of inappropriate working conditions for employees in the company.
In a video and a couple of photos that went viral, a female employee gave a heart-breaking testimony of her experience in the company that deals in oil extraction from cashew nuts.
According to the woman, the company had subjected its employees to the heat used in the extraction of the oil without providing the required protective equipment.
Pictures of her bulged fingers caused a stir online, as a cross-section of Kenyans called for action against the employer.
Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Francis Atwoli also voiced his protests, calling for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to ensure a conducive and healthy working environment for workers.
“Very unfortunate. During the 110th session of the International Labour Convention, the principle of a safe and healthy working environment was adopted as a Fundamental Principle and Rights at Work.
This means that government, through the Ministry of Labour, has to ensure that all Kenyans have a safe and healthy working environment," Atwoli noted in a statement shared on Tuesday, January 23.
