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{
    "id": 303638,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/303638/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 200,
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    "content": "Tsavo East, Kimana Camp, Amboseli, Mara Buffalo also referred to as Maasai Mara and Maasai Safari Lodge also referred to as Nairobi National Park. By 2008, the ASC Group had employed over 2,400 Kenyans, the number reducing to 1,400 by 2009 and to about 500 by mid 2011. According to official records, the company has four directors; Mr. Karl Jacob Ruedin, Group Chairman and a Swiss national; Ms. Bridget Hutfli, a Swiss; Mr. Frank Neugebauer, a German and Mr. Renato Bachmann, a Swiss. The events leading to the current stalemate can be traced back to the mid 1990s when the lease periods for the various units under the ASC began to expire. The situation got worse after the 2008 post-election violence with serious loss of business leading to the closure of several units. Indeed, in 2011 alone, five of the units, that is Kasr al Bahari, Shanzu, Paradise, Dolphine, Malaika and Laguna were sold off to settle outstanding commitments. By June 2011, the group had only one hotel remaining and that is Flamingo Beach Hotel under their name. However, an ownership wrangle ensued and the hotel was closed down on 5th April, 2011. Staff totaling 132 was consequently sent on leave and a skeletal staff of 32 retained. However, on 17th June, 2011 a new group of investors took over the place throwing away the workers forcing them to camp at the residence of the group’s Chairman, Mr. Karl Jacob Ruedin within the Shanzu area of Kisauni District, Mombasa County. Over 400 workers have been camping at the residence since then. The Ministry in conjunction with the Provincial Administration immediately initiated dialogue between the workers and the management resulting in the payment of Kshs1.3 million being salary arrears for February 2011 on 12th August, 2011. My Ministry is aware that the worker’s dues are Ksh45 million being salary arrears for March, April, May and June 2011 and Kshs250 million being final terminal dues for all employees including those who had retired. The Ministry is closely monitoring the outcome of various court cases relating to the ASC. These include the Industrial Court, case No.466 of 2010 filed by Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotel, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA), regarding the arrears of unpaid wages and case No.648 of 2009 lodged by Transport and Allied Workers Union. The award for the latter case was delivered on September 2010 but the management has lodged an appeal at the High Court. I have personally visited employees camping at the director’s premises and heard their grievances. I have advised them that the Ministry recognizes that there is a dispute on non-payment of terminal dues based on redundancy. In the light of the fact that the management of the ASC has clearly indicated so far they have no source of income to settle the dues, my Ministry in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Office is in the process of referring the matter of non-payment of redundancy dues to court on behalf of the workers."
}