The Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya), COTU (K), has called for the immediate deportation of a Chinese national seen assaulting a Kenyan worker at TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret.

In a letter to Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said the Union is deeply concerned by the prevalent cases of abuse of Kenyan workers by foreign investors.

Atwoli said COTU has taken note of a disturbing viral video circulating on social media in which a Chinese national, allegedly a manager at TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret, is clearly seen assaulting a Kenyan worker under his supervision.

“As COTU (K), we are appalled by this incident, which is a gross violation of the rights and dignity of the affected and, as the voice and defender of Kenyan workers, we will not stand by and watch the dignity of Kenyan workers violated by some rogue Chinese employers operating within our borders,” Atwoli said.

He stated that COTU (K) raised concerns and called for the deportation of another Chinese investor at the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), who not only forced Kenyan workers to sing Chinese songs before, during, and after work, but also verbally abused the General Secretary of the Tailors and Textile Workers Union.

COTU (K) therefore demands the immediate deportation of the Chinese national captured on video assaulting a Kenyan worker at TCM Mabati Factory. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust Kenyan workers have placed in your Ministry and the Government at large,” he said.

Furthermore, Atwoli urged Murkomen, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to strengthen monitoring, compliance, and enforcement measures relating to enterprises run by foreign nationals.

“We look forward to your urgent action on this matter,” he said.

COTU Letter to Mudavadi

He also attached the COTU (K) letter to Prime CS and CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavad,i on November 12^th

In the letter, COTU (K) expressed deep concern and strong condemnation of the continued labour exploitation, abuse, and inhumane treatment of Kenyan workers by a Chinese national, Mr. Xiao Jianzhoung.

The Union said Xiao has subjected Kenyan workers to deplorable working conditions that flagrantly violate Kenya’s labour laws and international labour standards through his company operating within the Export Processing Zone (EPZ).

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Reports from the Tailors and Textile Workers Union, which is duly affiliated to COTU (K), reveal that workers under his supervision are forced to:

• Work excessively long hours without fair compensation or overtime pay;
• Sing Chinese songs before, during, and after work as a form of coercion and humiliation;
• Endure denial of basic human needs, including restricted or denied toilet breaks; and
• Work under fear and intimidation, creating an environment of psychological and physical distress.

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Moreover, COTU (K) said Xiao recently verbally abused and insulted the General Secretary of the Tailors and Textile Workers Union, who also serves as the Chairman General of COTU (K), a grave act of disrespect not only to the individual but also to the entire Kenyan labour movement.

“Such conduct demonstrates blatant disregard for the dignity of Kenyan workers, their representatives, and our national sovereignty. COTU (K) strongly believes that the presence of such individuals undermines the spirit of mutual respect, cooperation, and lawful engagement that should exist between foreign investors and the Kenyan people,” the Union said.

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COTU (K) two letters to Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi. PHOTO/COTU (K).