Retrenched Admarc staff yet to be paid
salaries have been paid
The Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) is yet to pay retrenchment packages to people it fired last month.
Some of the retrenched staff said Wednesday that they expected to receive their January salaries and retrenchment packages by February 20 2023 but Admarc management is yet to do so.
One of the former Admarc workers, who opted for anonymity for fear of reprisals, said the government indicated, in a staff circular dated January 30 2023, that it would pay January salaries, pension arrears and retrenchment packages within the required period.
“Labour laws require that we get paid within the 14 days of being retrenched. But we are yet to be paid,” he said.
In another staff circular dated February 17 2023, management acknowledged delays to pay people their dues but indicated that this was due to circumstances beyond its control.
“January salaries, pension arrears and retrenchment payment have been funded by the Treasury and they will be [paid] anytime soon,” the circular reads.
Admarc Board Chairperson Zachary Kasomekera confirmed in an interview that Admarc was still processing retrenchment packages which would be paid to the laid off staff as soon as possible.
“All the January salaries have been paid. Right now, we are processing retrenchment packages,” he said.
Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture Chairperson Sameer Suleman said on Tuesday, during deliberations in Parliament, that the delays are worrisome.
The company implemented a 100 percent retrenchment effective February 1 2023.
The government will have to cough K8.9 billion to carry through the task.
Meanwhile, Admarc intends to recruit 2,000 new staff to resuscitate full operations of the company.
