The Kenya Union of Commercial Food and Allied Workers made a last-ditch effort to avert mass dismissals at the South African store Massmart, which trades as Game Stores.
“All the options we had given appeared to be long-term to them and they were looking for a short-term solution, which we don’t have, so they are going to close down by end of the year,” Kenya Union of Commercial Food and Allied Workers organising secretary Mike Oranga said.
Before the stores’ official closure in the following two months, the union claims the company would now issue layoff notices, putting an end to its seven-year struggle in the Kenyan market.
Notify Logistics Shuts Down Operations In Kenya
“They will issue a proper notice of redundancy to workers and once they do so we will start engaging on the employee’s benefits. Meanwhile, workers are at work until then and they will continue earning their full salaries.”Kenya Union of Commercial Food and Allied Workers organising secretary Mike Oranga Said
On Thursday, October 6, 2022, Game Stores revealed plans to close its three Kenyan locations after competitor supermarkets turned down sale offers, adding a new layer to the region’s retailer troubles.
“We have, therefore, initiated potential store closure consultations with our staff members in the potentially affected stores,” Game vice-president of merchandise Neville Hatfield said.
Tiger Brands, a South African company, departed the Kenyan market earlier in 2017 after selling its 51 per cent ownership of the local subsidiary Haco Tiger Brands to the late billionaire businessman Chris Kirubi, who subsequently had the remaining 49 per cent stake.
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