Fresh complaints have emerged from employees at China Square Kenya, with another worker alleging that junior staff are subjected to physically demanding duties, poor welfare conditions and a workplace culture where employees fear speaking openly.
The allegations, add to previous concerns raised by workers about employment conditions at some of the retailer's branches.
According to the whistleblower, China Square does not use casual labourers or dedicated offloaders for deliveries. Instead, the complainant claims junior male employees are expected to unload incoming stock themselves before immediately returning to the shop floor to serve customers.
The employee says the work is physically exhausting because the same workers are allegedly expected to carry heavy goods, replenish shelves, attend to customers and remain on their feet throughout the day without adequate support.
The complainant further alleges that staff receive neither breakfast nor lunch from the employer despite the demanding nature of the work.
According to the whistleblower, employees must buy their own drinking water, and some who cannot afford bottled water allegedly end up drinking water from washroom taps.
The worker also claims employees are expected to purchase their own toilet tissue while at work.
Another concern raised relates to workplace culture.
According to the complainant, employees are discouraged from raising concerns in staff communication groups that reportedly include more than 120 workers.
The whistleblower alleges that managers and supervisors warn employees against discussing workplace problems because Chinese managers are also members of the groups.
The employee claims workers who question management decisions or raise complaints risk receiving warning letters or other disciplinary action.
The whistleblower also says employees are expected to remain cheerful and smile throughout the day regardless of their physical condition or personal welfare.
According to the complaint, many workers spend the entire shift standing while serving customers, often after performing physically demanding loading duties, with only one day off each week.
The employee says workers are not asking for luxury.
They say they are asking for basic welfare measures such as safe drinking water, reasonable rest breaks and a simple breakfast for employees performing physically demanding work.
The allegations place responsibility on the management of China Square Kenya to explain its labour practices, staff welfare policies and occupational health measures.
The concerns may also warrant attention from the State Department for Labour and Skills Development and the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), which are responsible for promoting safe and lawful working conditions.
Below is the complaint received.
Hello Cyprian. Kindly hide my identity.
The issue is about China Square. They do not use casuals or offloaders. All junior male employees do the offloading while at the same time serving customers and standing throughout the day.
There is no breakfast or lunch. Even drinking water is bought using your own money. If you cannot afford it, you drink water from the washroom taps. Even toilet tissue is bought by employees.
Managers and some supervisors threaten employees and tell them not to raise complaints in staff groups because the Chinese managers are there. If you complain, you risk getting a warning letter.
We are expected to smile the whole day despite being hungry and standing for long hours. We only get one day off each week. We are simply asking for safe drinking water and breakfast.