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Hot Tea about Tea: Sexual Exploitation Leads to Firing of Top Bosses

James Finlays Kenya, a leading Kenyan tea supplier has suspended two contractors, John Chebochock and John Asava after they were exposed for alleged sexual exploitation.

The two contractors were secretly filmed demanding sexual favors in exchange for job offers at the firm. The two victims of sexual exploitation who were featured on BBC’s Africa Eye narrated how they fell victim to sexual exploitation after which they contracted HIV/AIDS.

 

???????? “He wants to sleep with you, then you get a job.”

A #BBCAfricaEye and #BBCPanorama investigation has uncovered widespread sexual abuse on tea farms which supply some of the world’s most popular brands.

Watch ‘Sex for Work: The True Cost of Our Tea’: https://t.co/UsTz1cKDnP pic.twitter.com/u2Wu5UBhG6

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) February 20, 2023

In a statement released by the tea-producing company, the firm said that it will continue to work closely with the police to unearth more details as the investigation continues. The firm also condemned acts of sexual exploitation adding that it has laid down robust policies and procedures in place. Part of the statement read,

“There is no place for the behavior of this kind anywhere in our business. We firmly believe that everyone should feel safe when they come to work at Finlays. That is why we have robust policies and procedures in place – such as comprehensive guidance to staff, detailed and continuous training programs, an anonymous third-party whistleblowing hotline, as well as dedicated welfare and medical staff available on-site – to prevent abuse of any kind. We reported the BBC allegations against John Chebochok and John Asava to the Kenyan Police. We will continue to work closely with the police, sharing any additional information that results from investigations. An independent investigation has been launched to fully understand what happened and where we can improve”

The BBC Expose also featured other tea exporters; Lipton Tea and Unilever whose female casual laborers also faced the same ordeal.

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