For years, Coca-Cola merchandisers have been the invisible workforce behind one of the world's most recognisable brands. Every day they move from outlet to outlet ensuring products are properly displayed, shelves are stocked, promotional materials are in place, and sales targets are achieved. Yet despite their contribution to the company's market dominance, many merchandisers say they are struggling to survive under increasingly difficult working conditions.

Labour outsourcing has become common across many industries, with companies relying on third-party agencies to recruit and manage workers. While such arrangements are often promoted as efficient and cost-effective, employees frequently complain that agency transitions come with uncertainty, reduced benefits, poor communication, and diminished job security.

The situation becomes even more frustrating when workers believe they are being denied earnings they had previously received or when legitimate concerns are met with threats instead of answers. In a difficult economy where every shilling matters, workers expect transparency regarding their pay, benefits, and future prospects.

Hello Nyakundi,

Kindly hide my identity.

I am one of the merchandisers working on Coca-Cola products, and I would like to raise concerns regarding what many of us have been experiencing since Coca-Cola changed the agency managing merchandisers earlier this year around March.

The previous agency was replaced by We Evolve Agency, and since that transition many workers have been left frustrated, confused, and uncertain about their future.

One of the first things that happened was that many employees who had been working under the previous agency lost their jobs.

At the same time, new people, including supervisors, were brought in under the new arrangement.

What concerns many of us is that despite taking over operations, the new agency has failed to clearly communicate important issues affecting workers.

Our biggest concern revolves around commissions and performance-related earnings.

Under the previous arrangement, merchandisers received variable pay or commissions based on monthly audit performance in addition to their basic salary.

That system motivated employees because hard work translated into better earnings.

Since moving to We Evolve Agency, however, nobody seems willing to tell us whether those commissions still exist.

Whenever we ask, we are told discussions with the client are ongoing.

Months later, we are still hearing the same explanation.

What many of us do not understand is why such discussions would still be underway after the agency already took over operations.

Shouldn't these issues have been resolved before assuming responsibility for workers?

If commissions have been removed, then employees deserve to be told honestly.

Keeping workers in suspense while they continue hoping for payments that may never come is unfair.

The salary itself is another challenge.

Many merchandisers earn approximately KSh24,000 despite the demanding nature of the work and the rising cost of living.

Yet when employees raise concerns, they are often reminded that there are many unemployed people outside willing to take their positions.

Such statements leave workers feeling undervalued and disposable.

There is also concern about the management style of certain supervisors.

Many employees feel intimidated and afraid to speak openly because they fear victimization.

One particular supervisor frequently mentioned by workers is a man known as Cornelius.

Employees describe an environment where questioning decisions is discouraged and where threats are used more often than dialogue.

Perhaps the most disturbing allegations involve claims of workplace sexual harassment.

Several workers have privately discussed incidents they believe crossed professional boundaries.

One former colleague allegedly resigned after what he considered inappropriate and degrading conduct by a supervisor.

These allegations are serious and deserve independent investigation.

As employees, we are not asking for special treatment.

We are asking for fair compensation, transparency regarding commissions, respect in the workplace, and a safe working environment free from intimidation and harassment.

Many of us are proud of the work we do promoting Coca-Cola products across the country.

But we also believe that workers deserve dignity and a voice.

We hope Coca-Cola management will listen directly to the merchandisers on the ground and take time to understand what employees are experiencing under the current agency arrangement.

Because right now, many workers feel abandoned, unheard, and exhausted.

Concerned Coca-Cola Merchandiser.