Standard Group Speaks As Journalists Prepare To Protest Over 6-Month Salary Delays

Standard Group Limited has broken its silence amidst a vow by the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) to mobilise media workers to protest outside its offices across the country in response to complaints by its journalists who have gone six months without being paid.

In a diffused statement dated Thursday, November 9 and seen by Viral Tea, Standard Group revealed that despite the harsh operating environment, made worse by the current economic crisis facing the country, the Mombasa Road-based media house has stayed focused on its product innovation and diversification agenda aimed at driving revenue generation and ensuring business profitability.

"In all this, our highly professional staff have remained committed despite the challenges, and continue to produce competitive media content to serve our customers.

"A key challenge for the business has been the significant outstanding debts (pending bills) owed to the company and this has, regrettably, affected some of our operational timelines, including the timely payment of staff salaries. This issue remains a top priority for the company and is being addressed accordingly," the century-old media house assured.

The company further noted that it is undertaking various initiatives, including a major cost reduction and efficiency enhancement drive, as well as a restructuring of the business, to conform to current economic realities.

"We are making great strides in this regard and continue to walk the path of progress towards continued growth and service to the public and all our stakeholders, including, importantly, our staff. We thank our customers and remain committed to serving you," the statement by its Corporate Affairs department added.

The statement comes amidst KUJ's threat to stage protests in 14 days should Standard Group fail to formulate a plan to remit their journalists.

"We are giving the company 14 days to come up with a payment plan with a view to settling arrears, or else we will mobilize media workers in a solidarity strike to picket at the company’s offices countrywide," stated the union's Secretary General Eric Oduor.

The union earlier called for a presser to condemn the impunity and injustice being perpetuated by the country's second-largest media house which owns the Standard Newspaper, KTN, KTN News, Radio Maisha, Spice FM, Vybez Radio, and other media products.

KUJ lamented that it has tried everything including negotiations to address the salary crisis coming as the media house itself faces a serious cash crunch, adding that it has received complaints from colleagues on the verge of going to extremities.