Dear Esteemed member,
We wish to thank you most sincerely for the support you have given the Association over the year 2023. On behalf of the Executive committee, we wish to particularly commend those who have used the Association’s services; Trainings, Legal and compliance Audits, Legal representation in Courts, Recruitment services, Policy development and also paid 2023 subscription fees which show great commitment in running of the affair of the Association. We urge those who have not paid but continue to enjoy services to do so urgently.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee which is the supreme organ (Board of association) has committed to implementing the decision of the Annual General Meeting since its election to office.
We are happy that the team through the able leadership of the Chairman, Mr. Stephen Strong has been able to steer the Association to achieve its Strategic objectives and roll out the work plan for 2023. The Executive Committee has met four times during the year and the attendance has been very encouraging.
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
- Workers’ meetings
The Association organized and attended 68 workers’ meetings. They were meant to enhance good industrial relations practices within the industry.
- Consultative meetings
The association handled 40 meetings to resolve issues raised by the union. Among them were Redundancies, Underpayment of Employees, Change of ownership, Non- Deduction of Union Dues & Implementation of CBA, Wrongful termination of employees, Review of transport policies, extension of MOUs etc
- Redundancies
The Association oversaw redundancies in 6 member farms during the year that were occasioned by various reasons among them high cost of production, restructuring and the war between Russia and Ukraine. 185 jobs were lost as a result.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
The association negotiated CBAs on behalf of the following companies;
- Ranchers & Conservancies CBA- The CBA negotiations were finalized and signed on 23rd August 2023 and later registered on 5th October 2023.
- Horticulture, Floriculture & Botanical Group CBA- - CBA negotiations were finalized, signed on 31st August 2023 and registered on 5th October 2023
- Homa Lime Co. Ltd-Parties signed an MOU
- Farmers Choice Ltd- Negotiations in progress
- Advance Packaging Manufactures Ltd- Negotiations in progress
TRAININGS
Over the last twelve months the Secretariat has been engaged in various member farms offering in-house trainings and in several regions in training Open house courses among them; Emerging Trends in Human Resource Management and Employment Laws, Fixed Term Contract- Emerging Trends through the Courts perspective, Data Protection and Employees Privacy- Emerging Trends, Sexual Harassment at work, Stakeholder Engagement Forum, Training on Termination on Medical Grounds, just to mention but a few.
We commend the following members who gave the Association in house training businesses during the year;
- Delamere Estates Ltd
- Ol Njorowa Ltd
- Lathyflora K. Ltd
- Karen Roses Ltd
- Soysambu Conservancy Ltd
- Carzan Flowers Ltd
- Kariki Ltd
- Rainforest Farmlands Ltd
- Borana Conservancy
- Lolldaiga Management Ltd.
- Ekaterra Tea PLC
- Savanna Flowers PLC
- Maji Mazuri Flowers Ltd
- FIPS
- Redlands Roses PLC
- Winchester Farm Bahati
- Shalimar Flowers
- Van Den Berg (K) Ltd
- Molo River Roses Ltd
- Black Tulips Group
- Laikipia Conservancies Association
- Oryx/Loisaba
- Fides Kenya Ltd
- Lipton Tea Kenya
- Williamson Tea K. Ltd
- James Finlays
- Stokman Rozen
- James Finlays (K) ltd
- Mt Elgon Orchards
We also thank members for sending participants to our open house trainings and forums.
We encourage members to take up these trainings as we have noted they are instrumental in reduction of industrial unrests, litigation, labour disputes and also help in improved staff motivation and performance.
We also request members who have in the past used other training providers, to consider the Association in the coming year as it is best placed to understand the needs in the industry not to mention the competence within to deliver quality.
CONSULTANCY
Legal and HR Compliance Audits
During the year, the following farms had their systems and procedures checked and given a report with recommendations.
- Oryx/Loisaba Conservancy td
- Savannah Flowers PLC
- Farmers Choice Ltd
- Panacol International Ltd
- Borana Ranch
- Everflora Ltd
- Lolldaiga Ltd
- Color crops Ltd
- FIPS- Africa
- Nini Ltd
- Taste the Forest Ltd
- Lauren Flowers
- Afriherbs Ltd
- Ardencaple Ltd
- Sasumua Ltd
- SP Kruger
Upon such recommendations, we are also able to help our members put systems in place and improve capacity. The same is a guard practice to avoid being caught on compliance issues.
We encourage members to use this service as it will help examine the strategies, policies, procedures, documentation, structure, systems and practices with respect to the organization’s human resource management.
The Association also undertook the following consultancies that included offering HR services, development of HR manuals and Data Protection Policies;
- Soysambu & Delamere
- Taste the Forest Ltd
- De Ruiter EA
- Afriherbs Ltd
- Ardencaple Farm
- Sasumua Agri. Ltd
- Stanley & Son Ltd
- SP Kruger Farm
- HM Clause
- Evergreen Herbs Ltd
Recruitment and executive selection
We offer recruitment and selection on behalf of our members. We have developed a skill pool for relevant competencies in the agricultural industry that will help the member avoid unnecessary delay and cost involved in the recruitment process.
We recruited on behalf of the following members;
- Redlands Roses PLC
- Kisima Farm
- Vitaplant k. Ltd
- Equinox Flowers Ltd
- Afri Organic Ltd
We urge members to make use of this service and save yourselves the headache of having to look for a replacement or fill in a vacancy.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)
In a bid to create awareness on abandoned and orphaned kids and promote a safe, healthy and loving haven for children, the Association in partnership with its members, friends, families and well-wishers took to Mt. Kilimambogo on a hike in its 2023 CSR. The hike was dedicated to House of Mercy Children’s Home in Githurai 45 in Nairobi and was also meant to raise funds for the children.
Through the support of members, families, partners and well-wishers, the Association was able to raise Ksh.3M. Your willingness to help made all the difference and for that we are grateful.
NEW MEMBERS
The Secretariat managed to recruit 14 new members since the beginning of the year;
- Lauren International Flowers Ltd
- Taste The Forest Food
- Afriherbs K Ltd
- United Selections
- Imani Flowers Ltd
- Weetabix East Africa Ltd
- Hybrid Agricultural Support Ltd
- Sasumua Agriculture Ltd
- Dudutech Integrated Pest Management Ltd
- Aquila development co ltd
- Hortech Ltd
- Vitaplant Organic
- Rif Valley Machinery
This is a good indication of the confidence companies have in the Association.
LEGAL SERVICES
We have noted reduced litigations which can be attributed to our trainings, audits and professional management of human resource. We request members to give us the opportunity to represent them in court in case of any labour related matters.
OFFICE CLOSURE
As we proceed to the festive season, we wish to inform you that our offices will remain closed during the festive season from Wednesday 20th December 2023 and resume operations on 8th January 2024. During that period our office lines and emails will be open for any enquiries and consultations.
Should you have any comments/feedback regarding any of our services, please feel free to share with us as that will help us improve or change where it is required of us.
We highly appreciate and thank all of you for your continued support.
As the year comes to an end, AEA wishes you all a season of great joy. May this Christmas end the present year on a cheerful note and make way for a fresh and bright New Year.