Business
Kenyan tea pickers’ Scottish compensation case on hold
Appeal judges have halted a compensation case brought by Kenyan tea pickers against their employer in Scotland’s highest civil court.
James Finlay Kenya Ltd (JFK) is fighting the multi-million pound damages claim at the Court of Session.
In a major setback to their case, the workers have been told they should seek redress in Kenya before the Scottish action can go any further. Their lawyers say 3,700 Kenyans are now involved. They are considering an appeal to the UK Supreme Court.
Aberdeen-registered JFK is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of tea. When the action began, it was part of a multi-national operation which can trace its roots back to a company founded in 1750 by Glasgow textile merchant James Finlay.
The workers claim they suffered musculoskeletal injuries because of working conditions on tea farms in the Kenya’s Kericho region. They launched what is known in the Scottish legal system as group proceedings, a class action lawsuit seeking compensation.
Throughout the action, JFK has argued it has no connection to Scotland, other than its registered historical address, and that the claims should be dealt with in Kenya.
Earlier this year Court of Session judge Lord Weir ruled that the case should be allowed to proceed in Scotland. That was challenged by JFK’s lawyers in the Inner House of the Court of Session, the country’s highest civil appeal court. The Inner House has now ruled that the cause should be “sisted,” meaning it’s been stopped from going any further for now.
The three judges concluded that the workers could not show at this stage whether or not they could get redress through Kenya’s Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA), a no-fault compensation scheme. They also ruled that the Kenyan workers had the right to appeal to the country’s Employment and Labour Relations Court.
In a written judgement, Lord Carloway, who sat with Lords Pentland and Lord Doherty, said if they were presented with evidence that WIBA was not giving the workers justice, the Scottish case could be allowed to resume.
Solicitor Patrick McGuire, who’s representing the tea workers involved in the case, said he was surprised and disappointed by the judgement. “We are now actively considering whether to appeal to the UK Supreme Court,” he said. “We’re also considering how, if at all, we can encourage 3,700 claimants to try to progress their claims through WIBA, which we think would be a feat of impossibility.”
Mr McGuire said the case which had been sisted involved 2,700 workers. Another 1,000 are taking part in an associated case which was brought to a temporary halt by the courts in Kenya.
The tea pickers have claimed they were routinely asked to work up to 12 hours a day without a break, for six days a week, earning in 2017 an average monthly wage of £100. The court also heard evidence that pickers had to harvest a minimum of 30kg (4st 10lb) of tea to be paid anything at all.
The workers asked for compensation from the business, claiming their bosses did not do enough to prevent them from suffering debilitating workplace injuries.
At a hearing in March, JFK’s managing director Simeon Hutchinson suggested the workers may have damaged their backs while carrying water as children. Mr Hutchinson argued that a UK-based court would have difficulty comprehending how people live their lives in the African country and Kenyan workers could struggle to understand lawyers’ Scottish accents.
He told the court: “Before WIBA, when ambulance chasing was rife in Kenya, lawyers had an incentive to look for injury cases because they could make a lot of money. “Once WIBA was brought into law, those practices have been brought to an end.”
A spokesperson for JFK welcomed the judgement from the Inner House. “The safety and welfare of everyone connected with our business is always our number one priority,” they said. “We believe that the proper place to address allegations brought by Kenyan citizens regarding their employment in Kenya is in the Kenyan Courts.”
(BBC)
By Ifham Nizam
As Sri Lanka gears up for a transformative shift in its energy sector, the Results Delivery Framework (RDF) 2025-26 lays out a strategic roadmap toward a cleaner, more sustainable and people-centric energy future.
Eng. Pubudu Niroshan Hedigallage, Director General, Power Sector Reforms Secretariat and a member of the Energy Committee, emphasizes the critical role of public awareness and global integration in achieving these ambitious goals.
“The success of our energy transition depends on people being on the same page, says Hedigallage. “We need a unified approach where policies align with public interest, ensuring energy security while reducing our carbon footprint.”
The RDF focuses on three main pillars:
Affordable and Secure, Cleaner Energy Supply
Smart and Sensible, People-Centric Energy
Strategic Global Integration in the Energy Sector
To achieve energy security and affordability, Sri Lanka is set to establish a National Energy Policy & Planning Office (NEPPO) in the first half of 2025. This office will serve as the central body for policy formulation and planning, ensuring a structured approach to clean energy adoption.
A key initiative is the “Rivi Bala Punarudaya” solar program, aiming to add 2,000 MW of solar energy within five years. “Solar power is one of the most viable solutions for Sri Lanka. It’s time to accelerate large-scale adoption, Hedigallage asserts.
Additionally, the government plans to begin competitive procurement for 1,000 MW of wind energy along the Puttalam-Jaffna coastal belt by mid-2025.
Hedigallage stresses the importance of policy reforms to align industrial and regulatory frameworks. “Introducing the Energy Transition Act in late 2025 will harmonize all sector-related laws, ensuring smoother implementation of new initiatives, he explains.
Other people-centric initiatives include:
Amendments to the Electricity Act to facilitate restructuring within the energy sector.
A Demand Response Program, developed with the Ministry of Digital Economy, to optimize energy consumption.
A techno-commercial collaboration program connecting universities, industries and utilities to drive innovation.
The Women-in-Energy National Program, launching in late 2025, to increase female participation in the sector.
Recognizing the importance of international collaboration, the RDF aims to position Sri Lanka as a key player in the global energy market.
A state agency for green hydrogen initiatives will be established in late 2025 to explore hydrogen as an alternative energy source.
By early 2026, a digital risk management dashboard will be launched to monitor reservoir levels, fuel inventories, and energy demand in real time.
The Green Energy Certification Unit, to be established in 2026, will authenticate renewable energy usage with Renewable Energy Certificates (REC).
ESG (Environment, Sustainability, and Governance) frameworks will be introduced to ensure sustainable energy sector practices.
A global energy forum will be launched in 2026 to connect Sri Lanka to international energy value chains.
With these ambitious plans, Sri Lanka is set to become a leader in clean energy in the region. “Our energy future is not just about technology and infrastructure; it’s about people, policy, and partnerships, Hedigallage added.
Mintpay, a pioneering financial app reshaping how people pay in Sri Lanka, has announced a landmark partnership with Softlogic Restaurants. This collaboration aims to enhance the dining experience for food enthusiasts by offering convenient, secure, and flexible payment options. Softlogic Restaurants, renowned for its portfolio of beloved brands such as Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Crystal Jade, Delifrance, and Baskin Robbins, will now enable customers to enjoy a wide variety of cuisines through Mintpay’s seamless digital payment solution.
Mintpay Account Manager Sasra Wickrama Arachchi stated, “At Mintpay, we aim to transform every payment into a rewarding moment, and we believe this partnership with Softlogic Restaurants delivers on that promise, making every meal more rewarding.”
Mintpay Senior Business Development Executive Faziha Farhan added, “At Mintpay, we’re always expanding our network by partnering with brands that share our vision for seamless and rewarding payments. We’re excited to welcome Burger King, the first global QSR brand in Sri Lanka to integrate Mintpay, alongside other renowned Softlogic restaurants. This partnership marks another step in transforming the dining experience for all our customers, offering greater flexibility and convenience whenever they use Mintpay.”
Business
Haleon partners Sri Lanka Dental Association as Official Sponsor for World Oral Health Day 2025
Haleon Sri Lanka formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline Healthcare; the first multinational pharmaceutical manufacturing organization in Sri Lanka, which commenced manufacturing in 1956 with the flagship brands Panadol, Iodex Eno etc., signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sri Lanka Dental Association (SLDA) as the official sponsor of World Oral Health Day 2025 in Sri Lanka. The formal signing ceremony took take place on Friday, February 28, 2025. The global theme for this year is “A happy mouth is … a happy mind” which emphasises the importance of oral health on quality of life and wellbeing.
The partnership between SLDA and Haleon; Marketers of Sensodyne aims to transform the conventional methods of celebrating World Oral Health Day. The landmark agreement reimagines World Oral Health Day with an awareness-driven approach themed “#BeSensitiveToOralHealth: Take the first step.” The month-long March campaign will educate Sri Lankans about proactive oral healthcare through strategic messaging across traditional and digital platforms, encouraging everyone to prioritize their oral health. The collaboration represents a significant commitment to improving oral health awareness and access to dental care across Sri Lanka.
Haleon and SLDA will work together to extend awareness that results in tangible healthcare benefits nationwide. Free dental screening facilities will be provided across the island, benefiting approximately 50,000 Sri Lankans.
Beginning March 20th, World Oral Health Day, will take place as a national event at Galle Face, Colombo will serve as the campaign centrepiece, offering free dental screenings, oral cancer assessments, and teeth sensitivity tests to increase public understanding of good oral health practices. All SLDA members will actively participate in this nationwide health initiative making quality dental care accessible to communities throughout the country.
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