It has emerged that more than 200 Kenyans working in the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR passenger train are working without contracts thus leaving them without any form of legal protection or medical cover.
While speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on condition of anonymity, one of the workers revealed that they are yet to be given contracts and in case of any injuries incurred during their travel, they would be forced to cater for themselves.
The employee also stated that they were on a six-month probation period and terms would be improved based on performance after the said period.
According to Kenya Railways Managing Director Atanas Maina, there had been contract complications because the Chinese operator had asked for more time to work on the terms the employees would work under.
"We are barely two months into this contract...most of the locals have been undergoing training at Railway Training Institute and are now working for the operator as part of the induction programme," stated Maina.
Kenya Railways and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) signed an operations, maintenance and service agreement for the Mombasa- Nairobi SGR operation in May.
According to the agreement, the Chinese firm is also expected to maintain the equipment and rail tracks in line with global standards.
"We have been working for a period of six months on probation earning between Sh14,000 and Sh35,000 monthly stipend.
"We need to negotiate better terms because as it is, we are not paid when off duty or when we fall sick," the workers' representative said.
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