Workers of Chinese firm block road over punitive taxes, poor working conditions

Road construction workers blocked Lang'ata Road yesterday, protesting against what they termed as punitive taxes.

The employees of China Road and Bridge Corporation workers constructing the Southern by-pass also complained about unpaid dues and poor working conditions.

The workers claimed they are taxed on their overtime pay and allowances.

They also complained that they have been paying Sh1,080 for National Social Security Fund for the last six months.

"We like the projects between our Government and China but that does not give the employer the right to harass us," said one of the workers.

He added that their pay was deducted if the work is interrupted by rain or when one falls sick.

"We have labour laws in Kenya that say that we need to be paid for the eight hours, but this law seems not to apply to the Chinese company," he said.

The chaos disrupted activities along the road for the best part of the morning, causing a huge traffic snarl-up as the workers engaged General Service Unit officers in running battles.

It took the police several hours to disperse the crowd. The police lobbed tear gas canisters at the workers to clear them from the busy road.

The disgruntled employees called on the Government to intervene, adding that they were ready to resume work once all the issues are resolved.

Another worker also said their union had bargained for 11.5 per cent yearly salary increment but had they only received a pay rise last year.

"We were to be paid another 11.5 per cent this year in September but we have not received any communication concerning the pay," he said.

The workers also complained that they were being ferried in open trucks even when it is raining, causing most workers to fall sick.

Efforts to get a comment from the management of company bore no fruit as they declined to talk to the Press.