Employers have a legal and moral responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their employees. When workers suffer injuries while performing their duties, they expect prompt medical attention, support from management, and compliance with workplace safety regulations. For many employees, workplace injury is already stressful enough without the added burden of having to personally finance treatment for incidents that occurred while on duty.
Labour laws and occupational safety regulations are designed to protect workers from exactly such situations. Employees who are injured at work should not be left wondering whether they will receive medical assistance or compensation. Delayed responses, unclear communication, and failure to address workplace injury claims can leave workers feeling abandoned by the very organizations they help build and sustain.
At the same time, concerns about employee welfare often extend beyond safety. Rising living costs, especially in cities such as Nairobi, have placed enormous pressure on low-income workers. Many employees are increasingly questioning whether their wages reflect the realities of modern living, particularly when they are expected to work long hours under demanding conditions while struggling to meet basic household expenses.
Hello Cyprian,
Kindly hide my identity.
I would like to raise concerns about the treatment of employees at Panda Mart, particularly when it comes to workplace injuries and employee welfare.
Over the course of my employment, I have suffered two separate injuries while on duty.
The first injury occurred about two months ago. Despite the fact that the injury happened while I was carrying out my work responsibilities, I ended up using my own money to seek medical treatment because there was no immediate support from the company.
I hoped the matter would eventually be addressed, but nothing meaningful happened.
Unfortunately, I was injured again this month while on duty.
Since then, I have repeatedly followed up regarding medical support, compensation, or any form of assistance related to the injuries. Every time I ask, I am simply told to "wait."
Weeks pass, the issue is forgotten, and no action is taken.
As an employee, this is extremely frustrating.
If I get injured while working for the company, why should I be forced to carry the medical burden alone?
Why should employees have to spend their own money on treatment for injuries sustained while performing their duties?
The feeling among many of us is that employee health and welfare are not being treated as a priority.
Beyond the injury concerns, many workers are also struggling with low pay.
I currently earn KSh 16,000 per month, and with the current cost of living in Nairobi, that amount is becoming increasingly difficult to survive on.
Rent, transport, food, and other daily expenses continue to rise, yet employees feel that their concerns regarding salaries are rarely taken seriously.
Many of us are working hard every day to help the business operate successfully, but we feel that our welfare is being overlooked.
We are not asking for luxury.
We are asking for fair treatment when we are injured at work.
We are asking for proper medical support.
We are asking for timely responses when legitimate concerns are raised.
And we are asking management to recognize the financial realities facing workers earning modest salaries in Nairobi today.
I hope Panda Mart management, labour authorities, and workplace safety regulators can look into these concerns and ensure employees receive the protection and support they deserve.
No worker should be injured while on duty, pay for treatment out of pocket, and then spend months chasing answers that never come.
Concerned Panda Mart Employee.