Standard Group, a media outlet located on Mombasa Road, has come under fire from the Kenya Union of Journalists for neglecting to pay its staff for ten months.
The Union has been getting distress calls from irate workers who have not received their pay in six to ten months, according to a statement released by Secretary General Erick Oduor on November 9, 2023.
“After attempting alternative approaches, namely talks with management to address the issue of staff salaries not being paid, we have chosen to hold this news conference. Unfortunately, our efforts have resulted in empty promises. We are declaring that enough is enough!
Mr. Oduor said, “We have gotten distress calls from irate coworkers, and the corporation needs to be prepared to accept responsibility for mental torment that might cause certain employees to do regrettable actions.
He went on to say that as Standard Group works in Kenyan media, criticism of their poor management techniques, injustices, and human rights breaches is necessary.
As a result, the business can no longer claim to be questioning injustices and poor governance since it has lost its moral consciousness.
“First, it needs to take the log out of its eyes. Wages and salaries are covered by the Employment Act even while the company is violating workers’ rights. Furthermore, each employee is entitled to fair labour practices under Article 41 of the Constitution, ” Mr Oduor stated.
Photographers and journalists have reportedly gone ten months without receiving payment, while Standard Group employees have reportedly not received pay in six months.
“The corporation needs to answer for this, especially to its stakeholders and business partners, as it is not only against the law but also unethical and a flagrant violation of human rights.
“To enable its employees to live with dignity and fulfil their financial duties, we demand that the Standard PLC board uphold the rights of these people and keep up their half of the contract.
Mr. Oduor added, “We also seek inquiries into the company’s financial dealings to help the public understand what went wrong.”
Employees of the Standard Group are also said to have lost their funds with Sacco since the firm failed to pay their premiums.
He demanded assistance from the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority in helping members get their money back.
“In conclusion, we are granting the company a 14-day period to devise a payment scheme for clearing outstanding debts, failing which we will organize a nationwide picket of media personnel to demonstrate against the company’s offices,” Mr Oduor declared.
For some years, Standard Group has been experiencing losses. Numerous employees, including broadcast and editorial journalists, reporters, and television celebrities, have left in large numbers as a result.
The media corporation encouraged some of its employees to choose early retirement rather than being fired or laid off with lesser payments, which resulted in mass layoffs.
The Standard Newspaper, KTN, KTN News, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Vybz FM, and other media goods are owned by Standard Group, a conventional media company.
