Demonstrations at NEMA Hqs following plastic bags ban (VIDEO)

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August 29, 2017 1:18 PM

Close to 1000 people have reportedly already lost their jobs.

Bobmil industry workers are currently protesting the plastic bags ban with the fear of being left jobless.

The workers made their way to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) offices demanding answers to their grievances.

The ban that was officially implemented on Monday August 28 has already left thousands of Kenyans jobless due to the closure of several plastic manufacturers.

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Such is the case for Packaging Industries Limited and Laneed Plastic Industries that have already let go of a combined 1000 workers since implementation kicked off yesterday.

“We are all stuck; we don’t know what to do,” said director of Packaging Industries Limited, Dip Shah.

According to Business Daily Africa, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers claim that the closure of the manufacturers would cause 60,000 job losses; claims that Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu dismissed terming the numbers as "exaggerated".

“We are talking of 60,000 direct jobs...then there are indirect jobs the traders and the people they employ, transporters and others along the value chain,” said KAM sector manager Samuel Matonda in a statement.

The High Court had on Friday August 25, declined the Plastic manufacturers bid to suspend the implementation of the plastic bags ban.

The court however contemplates listening to the same case on September 21.

Here is the video:

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