KENYA – Fresh Del Monte Produce, global producer, marketer and distributor of fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables has announced that its Kenyan subsidiary Fresh Del Monte Kenya has partnered with UN women health and empowerment program to promote good health.
Under the partnership, they will disseminate information pertaining to reproductive health and cancers, menstrual health, contraceptives, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and gender-based violence.
They are targeting to reach 10,000 women to include employees and community by the year 2024.
“Companies employing millions of women in their global supply chains have an enormous opportunity to invest in the health and empowerment of their workforce, with critical information and services, while building a healthier, more productive workforce.”
Robyn Russell – Director of Programs and Innovation at the United Nations Foundation’s Universal Access Project.
According to the company’s press-statement, they will offer the information through training and issuances of newsletters, pamphlets, and fliers.
“Companies employing millions of women in their global supply chains have an enormous opportunity to invest in the health and empowerment of their workforce, helping meet women right where they are – in the workplace – with critical information and services, while building a healthier, more productive workforce,” said Robyn Russell, Director of Programs and Innovation at the United Nations Foundation’s Universal Access Project.
In addition to the initiative, Del Monte Kenya is planning to expand its on-site health services in existing company’s health clinics and provide reproductive health services and family planning.
Mrs Vicky Mutungwa, Quality Control Manager, Del Monte Kenya Limited, said, “At Del Monte Kenya, it is our team member’s well-being that gives us the capacity to provide wholesome, safe and fresh products, and as a company, we do our part by ensuring that our staff is cared for in all that we do.”
“This we do, with a strong conviction that we cannot achieve “A Better World Tomorrow’’ without the support, dedication, and talent of each of our team members, including our women.”
Women make up 45% of the company’s 6,500 employees and it has also committed to offer them fair wages, a safe workplace, access to quality health care and opportunities for growth.
With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, the company has deployed a range of resources within and beyond its business premises, aimed to curb the spread of the corona virus and mitigate its effects.
Recently the processor launched a 6-bed holding room to be used in the event of employees exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, before they are referred to government health facilities for further treatment.
Other measures undertaken by Del monte to ensure safety of its employees and other personnel within its industry include ramping up hygienic standards by increasing cleaning frequency of the factor, having more hand-washing stations and sanitizers at each department and company premises.
Social distancing as one of the protocols recommended by the World Health Organization, has also been instituted at the company coupled with the installation of shields between the factory operators while at the processing area.
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