Spare workers, Kalonzo tells employers

By Maureen Mudi and Renson Mnyamwezi

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has appealed to employers not to retrench workers as the effects of the global economic crisis begin to be felt.

Kalonzo urged employers to seek other alternatives.

"Employers can achieve the same goal of reduced operational costs without affecting the lifeline of workers," he said.

Kalonzo’s speech was read on his behalf by Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo in Mombasa yesterday at the annual seminar of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).

"My position on this matter is informed by the need to sustain employment and help preserve skills, expertise and experience," he said.

Economic recovery

He said skills had taken a lot of resources to develop and were crucial for economic recovery. Kalonzo said the global financial crisis had a negative impact on sectors like tourism, horticulture, tea and coffee.

Kalonzo praised ICPAK for living up to its objective. He said the institute had developed accountancy through professional competence, discipline, high standards of practice and conduct.

He said ICPAK was one of the few professional bodies in the world to adopt international financial reporting framework. As a result, the Vice-President said, this has led to high demand for Kenyan accountants worldwide. He said the financial crisis required urgent remedial action.

in view of the massive job losses in the world.