industrySexual harassmentKenya
A joint investigation by BBC Africa Eye and Panorama has uncovered evidence of sexual exploitation on Kenyan tea farms owned by two British companies, Unilever and James Finlay & Co. These farms supply some of the UK’s most popular brands, including PG Tips, Lipton and Sainsbury’s Red Label.
More than 70 women working on the plantations reported being sexually abused by their supervisors. Secret filming also showed local bosses pressuring an undercover reporter for sex. Three managers have now been suspended.
Unilever faced similar allegations more than 10 years ago and implemented a “zero tolerance” approach to sexual harassment, as well as a reporting system and other measures. However, the joint investigation has revealed that these allegations were not acted upon.
The women told BBC reporter Tom Odula that they felt they had no choice but to give in to the sexual demands of their bosses, or face having no income. One woman said she had been infected with HIV by her supervisor after being pressured into having sex with him.
The BBC then recruited undercover reporter Katy to work on the tea plantations. During one job interview with a recruiter for James Finlay & Co, Katy was pinned against a window and asked to touch him and undress. Despite making it clear she did not consent, he eventually gave up when a member of the production team made a phone call to give her an excuse to leave.
Katy also experienced sexual harassment when undercover at a farm run by Unilever. After attending an induction day where the divisional manager spoke about Unilever’s zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment, he then invited her to meet him in a hotel bar and tried to pressure her into having sex with him.
When Katy reported the behaviour to one of Unilever’s sexual harassment officers, she was told to “stand by her principles” and not give her body in exchange for a job. Despite following up to find out what action was being taken against her superiors, she received no response.
Unilever said it was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the allegations and sold its operation in Kenya while the BBC was secretly filming. The new owner, Lipton Teas and Infusions, has suspended two managers and ordered a “full and independent investigation”.
James Finlay & Co supplies Kenyan tea to Sainsbury’s and Tesco supermarkets, as well as Starbucks. In response to the BBC investigation, Sainsbury’s said: “These horrific allegations have no place in our supply chain”. Tesco said it takes the allegations “extremely seriously” and is in “constant dialogue” with Finlay’s to ensure “robust measures” are taken. Starbucks did not provide a statement.
If you have been affected by the issues in this investigation into sex for work, or have any information or stories to share, you can contact BBC Africa Eye or BBC Panorama via WhatsApp on +44 7756 165803 or email HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. You can remain anonymous if you prefer.
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