The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is advocating for the invalidation of work permits belonging to Chinese workers who cannot speak English.
According to KNCHR chairperson Kagwira Mbogori, the Commission will probe the alleged abuse of Kenyan workers by the Chinese supervisors.
“Our view is that no migrant worker should be allowed to work in Kenya if they cannot express themselves fluently either in English or Kiswahili,” she said to the Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare.
The Committee had asked for the appearance of KNCHR, Kenya Railways managing director Atanas Maina, Labour and Social Welfare CS Ukur Yatani, and Central Organisations of Trade Unions to discuss the matter of the mistreatment of Kenyan workers. The Committee is also investigating reports of poor working environment and biased pay and benefits.
CS Yatani told the Committee that a multi-agency committee of inquiry was formed on July 12 to probe into these issues.
“The committee of inquiry which had seven days to report accomplished the task and filed a report presenting preliminary findings on issues in view of the fact that there was a constraint in time, long distance between stations and the many issues that were being handled,” he said.
The committee of inquiry discovered that the workers at the China Bridge and Road Corporation (CRBC) are youthful with high expectations and that workers are exposed to occupational risks and hazards.
