By James Wafula In Nairobi.
Industrial area casual workers employed in different factories have accused employers of subjecting them to inhuman treatment and “slave wages” for nine hours of back breaking labour.
The workers who spoke to Workers Eye on condition they are not named include drug manufacturing firms, laboratory equipment, gas cylinders, BAT, biscuit firm House of Manji, Coates Brothers ink firm, Lab Sing for motor spares, print pak, several super markets, hotels and restaurants.
The workers complained of being locked inside factories overnight and in many cases have paid with their lives when fire broke out.
The workers have challenged COTU boss Francis Atwoli to stop dwelling only on inhuman treatment of Kenyans in Saudi Arabia when “right here at home” workers are subjected to horrendous treatment!
The workers further complain of degrading conduct when they have to be stripped in body searches if they have hidden any of the products being manufactured! Female workers feel “abused and violated” in the body searches conducted crudely.
Speaking on the issue Union of Kenya Civil Servants Secretary General Mr. Tom Odege accused some employers in manufacturing and hospitality sectors of being “heartless” forcing staff to work long hours at low pay, contrary to Kenya and interational labour laws.
Odege said the excuse by the employers that because there is a job shortage in the country workers should accept any wage paid is “not acceptable.”
He said the Geneva convention Labour laws are clear and relate to all category of workers worldwide who deserve a “decent” wage in a dignified environment not being “treated like animals”! Odege challenged the industrialists to be humane and considerate bearing in mind the current high cost of living.
NGO council chairman Mr. Stephen Cheboi condemned “brutal” employers locking workers overnight without protective gear or emergency exits. He cited a case when several workers were burnt to death when gas cylinders exploded while others were seriously injured.
‘We cannot just seat here and allow Kenyans seeking to put bread on the table to be treated like lesser mortals and paid peanuts for long hours?” Cheboi fumed.
Cheboi said the NGO council had investigated and discovered that some workers are paid Kshs 350 for working 9 hours daily! This include transport, lunch, supper and rent! Many have families he pondered “how do they survive?”
The NGO council he added was in consultations with employers and unions both in manufacturing and hospitality sectors to seek better remuneration for Kenyans at home before “blowing trumpets” on work conditions abroad.
At BAT workers complained of suffocating tobacco odour that has led to health complications like asthma, TB and skin itch problem.
