Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for a Senate investigation into issues faced by more than 3,000 workers of Hela Intimates EPZ Limited, part of Sri Lanka-based apparel group Hela, over delayed salaries, unremitted statutory deductions and unpaid terminal benefits. The development comes as Sri Lanka-based Hela Apparel Holdings PLC faces serious financial difficulties and moves towards winding up. Addressing the Kenyan Senate, Sifuna sought a statement from the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, raising concerns over the welfare of workers at Hela Intimates EPZ Limited in Kenya. He said more than 3,000 workers were in distress due to delayed salaries and the company’s alleged failure to remit statutory deductions, including contributions to the National Social Security Fund, Higher Education Loans Board and savings and credit cooperative societies for several months. Sifuna also raised concerns over unpaid severance and terminal benefits owed to workers, as well as substantial outstanding payments to suppliers. He called on the committee to investigate the current status of salary arrears, statutory deductions, severance payments and supplier dues and determine what action has been taken over the alleged failure to meet these obligations. The Senator further sought details on legal and regulatory safeguards available to protect workers and suppliers when investors cease operations or exit without settling salaries, statutory deductions, terminal benefits and other lawful debts. In Sri Lanka, Hela Apparel Holdings PLC recently announced moves towards winding up amid severe financial difficulties. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment said 3,674 employees previously attached to Hela Clothing and Foundation Garments had already been absorbed into Emerald Clothing under a restructuring exercise completed before the recent developments involving Hela Apparel Holdings. (Newswire) The post Kenyan Senator seeks probe over 3,000 workers of Hela apparel in Nairobi appeared first on Newswire.
