Ex-KTN Anchor Linda Oguttu has called on the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui to help journalists who are being exploited by money saving Saccos.
The former Standard Group employee, through her X account, noted that the employees at Standard are facing tough times because of Network Sacco.
According to Linda Oguttu, the savings in the Sacco had disappeared rendering the employees in a critical financial state.
“People cannot be saving their hard-earned money in saccos only for the money to ‘disappear’, colleagues at the Standard Group are going through hell because of Network Sacco,” she stated.
As such, she called on CS Chelugui and Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) to come to the aid of her colleagues whom she noted are suffering in the hands of Network Sacco.
Also Read: Standard Group Staff Threatens to Kill Self During CEO Meeting – EXCLUSIVE
Standard Group Woes
SACCO payments continue to be a source of concern for the company, with some of its former employees running out of choices as they seek their money.
However, this is not the only worry for Standard Group employees as they have recently raised issues of delayed salaries.
The journalists have complained about going for six months without salary.
In an exclusive interview with The Kenya Times, some of the employees complained that they were not able to pay bills including rent, yet they are working for the Mombasa-road based media giant.
Likewise, they lamented that the company only remitted 20 percent of the gross salary while the bosses earned handsomely.
“It is very hard to participate when we get as little as 20 percent, not even enough to pay rent, yet you want us to keep our part of the bargain,” a user on Slido, a digital meeting platform stated.
“How do managers get paid 70 percent of June’s salary and we get 20 percent of September? How do we come to work?” another added.
Prior to the financial difficulties, the bulk of SG’s present and past employees were members of Network Sacco, which was based at the media house’s headquarters.
Linda Oguttu also noted that many of these employees are now falling into depression due to the tough economic times.
Also, one individual on Slido, an interactive site for the SG employees and CEOs threatened to commit suicide if he is not paid his dues.
Because of the delays, KUJ journalists resolved on Thursday to stand in solidarity with Standard Group colleagues in their quest for pay.
“The union intends to launch campaigns against this impunity and injustice at a press conference to be held on November 9, 2023,” KUJ stated.
