Simba Cement Workers Protest Against Poor Working Conditions

There was drama in Simba cement Emali branch after Members of the Maasai community stormed and roughed up the plant administrator.

The Maasai people who are also workers at the plant were protesting against poor working conditions, poor payment and harassment by foreigners who work in the same organization.

They also complained about long working hours.

According to one employee who asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimization, they work 12 hours a day with no overtime payment.

Read: Chinese are Sweeping SGR Stations as Kenyans Wallow in Poverty, Jobless (PHOTOS)

Abuse and discrimination

There are Indians living within and without the plant but whose nationalities could not be ascertained.

According to the source, the protesters could not understand how and why foreigners holding same positions as them got a higher pay. Simba cement has apparently hired Chinese watchmen, a job the locals can easily take on.

Last week, a Chinese watchman was run over by a truck at the Athi River branch and died on the spot.

Rhino cement popularly known as Athi River mining was last year accused of prejudice, poor working conditions and employing foreigners in their Kaloleni plant and their head office in Nairobi.

There has been an increase in cases of poor payment,employment of foreigners and racial abuse in the country. East Africa breweries, Bidco, Athi River mining, SGR and now Simba cement have all been accused of these vices.

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