Ashton Clothing, one among flourishing businesses having five industrial units inside Mombasa, has shuttered four of its industrial units and retrenched some 3,000 staff in the past 18 months.
Pankaj Mehta, company's agent said, the investments worth millions was being drained out of the country causing severe loss to their trade.
"This would be the worst decision to make, but if the situation does not improve, we will have no alternative but to close down completely and relocate to other countries with friendly investment policies," he cited.
George Sabu, Resident Director, Emke Garments, said, the company campaigns to shrink their staff, which at present stood at 1,500, next to 50 percent was on cards in the coming four months.
"The situation has been made worse by blanket increases in wages by the Government, without industry being consulted," lamented Sabu.
Presently the salaries and wages comprise a whooping 80 percent of the operation costs, industry sources opined.
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