The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The Central Organization of Trade Unions (Kenya) is demanding the immediate deportation of a Chinese national filmed assaulting a Kenyan employee at the TCM Mabati Factory in Eldoret, intensifying concerns over labour violations in foreign-owned companies.
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In a letter to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli said the video—showing the man slapping and shoving a worker—reflects a growing trend of mistreatment of Kenyan employees in some foreign-run establishments.
“The Government of Kenya must safeguard the dignity of Kenyans working in locally based foreign investments,” Atwoli stated.
He also urged the deportation of other “rogue” Chinese operators, including those in Export Processing Zones (EPZ) accused of forcing workers to sing Chinese songs.
COTU said the Eldoret incident is similar to another case reported last week in an EPZ factory, where a Chinese investor allegedly compelled staff to sing Chinese songs throughout their shifts and verbally abused union representatives.
In a separate letter to Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, the union accused another Chinese national—Xiao Jianzhoun—of severe labour violations, including overly long shifts without pay, intimidation, denial of bathroom breaks and fostering a psychologically and physically abusive work environment.
The union argued that such practices violate Kenyan labour laws, breach international labour standards and damage the country’s investment reputation.
Atwoli warned that failure to act would betray the trust of Kenyan workers, calling for stricter enforcement, inspections and oversight of companies run by foreign nationals.
COTU has urged both the Interior and Labour ministries to ensure all foreign investors uphold the rights, dignity and sovereignty of Kenyan workers.
The demands come amid public uproar after the assault video went viral, prompting widespread calls for swift deportation of the accused individual.
