Sales Promoters at Sapphire Trading & Marketing Raise Complaints Over Harsh Conditions and Delayed Salaries
Sales Promoters at Sapphire Trading & Marketing Raise Complaints Over Harsh Conditions and Delayed Salaries
Sales promoters marketing global consumer electronics brands distributed by Nairobi-based technology distributor Sapphire Trading & Marketing Ltd across East Africa have raised complaints about low pay, delayed salaries and poor working conditions tied to their roles. Sales promoters marketing technology brands distributed by Nairobi-based Sapphire Trading & Marketing Ltd have raised complaints over delayed salaries, lack of employment benefits and poor working conditions.
The workers say they are deployed as promoters marketing technology products such as power stations, phone accessories and electronic devices supplied by the firm, which operates from its headquarters on Kijabe Street in Nairobi and distributes products for global brands such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Anker, Belkin, Brother and EcoFlow.
According to the workers, promoters earn a monthly salary of about Ksh 15,000, which they say is subject to deductions that are rarely explained.
The employees claim the pay structure lacks transparency and does not come with basic employment benefits such as medical cover, paid leave days or compensation when a worker falls sick.
They say the nature of their work requires them to market consumer technology products in retail outlets that sell electronics supplied by the distributor, which serves wholesale, retail, corporate and online commerce markets across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Some workers say they are assigned to retail outlets located far from where they live without transport facilitation, even as they are expected to meet aggressive sales targets tied to the technology brands they promote.
The employees say management had promised a 0.5 percent commission on monthly sales, a commitment they claim has not been honoured even as they work to push sales of devices and accessories distributed through the company’s regional supply network.
Sapphire Trading & Marketing Ltd was founded in 1996, initially dealing in industrial food ingredients before shifting its focus in 2006 to consumer electronics and mobile technology distribution.
Today the company is known in the region as a key distributor of technology products ranging from smartphones and accessories to surveillance systems, drones and portable power solutions.
Workers say problems began to intensify after staff attempted to raise complaints internally over pay and working conditions.
According to the employees, the company later shifted employment arrangements to an external agency identified as Aumento, which they say is run by a Nigerian national.
The workers claim the agency does not operate from a known office and say they could not trace the company on the Kenyan eCitizen companies registry. They also say payments are often sent through M-Pesa, which they believe keeps the employment arrangement outside formal payroll systems.
The promoters claim that more than 70 workers are engaged under these terms while marketing products tied to global electronics brands distributed by the Nairobi-based firm.
Several workers say salaries are often delayed without explanation, adding that those who question the delays risk losing their jobs.
Female workers have also raised complaints about alleged harassment within the employment structure, claiming situations where sexual favours were requested in exchange for securing or maintaining employment.
Employees further describe the work environment as hostile, claiming that some supervisors treat staff with disrespect and use abusive language when addressing workers.
The complaints have emerged as Sapphire continues to expand its presence in East Africa’s consumer electronics market through partnerships with global manufacturers and online sales platforms such as Jumia and Kilimall, where many of the products promoted by the workers are sold.
Workers say the situation has left many struggling financially while continuing to promote technology brands across reta…