This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
Base Titanium, an Australian mining firm based in Kwale County, has begun distributing food packages to at least 800 hotel employees laid off due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
The move is aimed at helping the affected workers navigate the economic hardships caused by the pandemic.
According to Pius Kassim, the Community Relations Manager at Base Titanium, the food packages contain essential items such as maize and wheat flour, beans, rice, sugar, cooking oil, salt, and tea leaves.
"All the beneficiaries were people who in one way or the other had their sources of income disappear as a result of the viral disease," Kassim said, adding that many were facing economic hardships and uncertain futures.
Base Titanium's initiative has also benefited 190 fishermen, 143 boat operators, 88 curio sellers, 120 bartenders, 80 commercial sex workers, and 42 taxi operators in Ukunda Township.
Many tourist establishments in the coastal county have closed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 outbreak, leaving hundreds of workers without jobs or severance pay.
"Many of us were let go with little or no severance pay," said one of the beneficiaries, Biali Omar. "We're having a hard time finding alternative jobs."
Published on June 11, 2020, at 12:49 PM.
