This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
Kenya's hospitality sector continues to grapple with the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic, with high-end hotel Villa Rosa Kempinski announcing plans to lay off some of its workers.
According to a memo to staff, the hotel's business has been severely affected by the ongoing pandemic, with coronavirus cases continuing to rise in Kenya.
Managing Director Roberto Simone stated that the hotel would adhere to the Employment Act, 2007 and the Collective Bargaining Agreement in place when paying redundancy dues to affected employees.
However, the exact number of workers targeted for layoff remains unclear.
As the pandemic continues to spread, many households in Kenya are facing financial hardship due to job losses, with the cost of living continuing to rise.
On June 9, 2020, Mr. Simone wrote to staff, stating that the restructuring would affect multiple departments and result in redundancies, citing the need for sustainability and long-term success.
Workers affected by the layoffs have been advised to contact the human resource department for further clarification.
As Kenya's Covid-19 cases near the 3,000 mark, the hospitality and travel sectors continue to be severely impacted, with top hotels downsizing operations, sending staff on unpaid leave, or shedding jobs altogether.
