COTU Demands Immediate Deportation of Chinese Boss Captured Assaulting Worker

COTU Demands Immediate Deportation of Chinese Boss Captured Assaulting Worker

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions, Kenya (COTU‑K), has demanded the immediate deportation of a Chinese national captured on video assaulting a Kenyan worker, describing the incident as a gross violation of labour rights and human dignity.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, November 16, the union condemned the actions of the foreign employer and urged the government to intensify monitoring of enterprises run by foreign nationals.

“COTU is deeply concerned by the prevalent cases of abuse of Kenyan workers by foreign investors,” the statement read.

“We will not stand and watch the dignity of Kenyan workers violated by some rogue Chinese employers operating within our borders.”

Viral Video Sparks Outrage

The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows the Chinese national physically assaulting a Kenyan employee who appears to exercise restraint despite repeated provocations. In the footage, a voice in the background can be heard urging the worker to retaliate, though he refrains from doing so.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation online, with many Kenyans expressing anger at what they perceive as exploitation and mistreatment of local workers by foreign employers.

Although reports later indicated that the worker and the Chinese national had reconciled, many social media users dismissed the gesture as insincere, arguing that the reconciliation did not erase the abuse witnessed in the video.

Pattern of Abuse

COTU highlighted another case involving a Chinese manager accused of forcing Kenyan subordinates to sing native Chinese songs while at work. The union went further to identify the manager by name, passport number, and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) pin, accusing him of subjecting employees to long working hours with minimal pay.

The union argued that such incidents reflect a broader pattern of abuse and exploitation of Kenyan workers by rogue foreign employers.

Call for Government Action

Beyond deportation, COTU urged the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to strengthen oversight of firms managed by foreign nationals.

“We urge the Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to strengthen monitoring, compliance and enforcement measures relating to enterprises run by foreign nationals,” the statement continued.

The union insisted that stricter enforcement of labour laws was necessary to protect Kenyan workers from exploitation and to ensure that foreign investors operate within the country’s legal framework.

Wider Implications

Labour analysts say the incident underscores the challenges Kenya faces in balancing foreign investment with the protection of workers’ rights. While foreign firms contribute significantly to economic growth, concerns about working conditions and treatment of employees have persisted.

COTU’s intervention is expected to put pressure on authorities to act decisively, both to address the specific case and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Conclusion

The demand for deportation of the Chinese national highlights growing tensions over labour relations between Kenyan workers and foreign employers. As outrage continues to mount, the government faces calls to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and dignity.

For COTU, the message is clear: foreign investment must never come at the expense of Kenyan workers’ welfare.

ALSO READ: South Africa Investigates Transfer of 156 Palestinians Through Kenya Amid Israel Dispute

COTU Demands Immediate Deportation of Chinese Boss Captured Assaulting Worker