Disturbing revelations are coming out from frontline merchandisers working under Zayn Agency, a third-party contractor for Bidco Africa, one of Kenya’s largest consumer goods companies.
According to a detailed report shared by Cyprian Is Nyakundi, employees have raised serious concerns about exploitation, manipulation, and delayed payments that continue to affect their livelihoods.
These claims, made through confidential communication, paint a worrying picture of how the company manages outsourced workers. Many say the system is broken and designed to benefit those at the top while ignoring the rights and wellbeing of the workers.
At the heart of the matter is the use of a merchandising app, which employees say is being used unfairly. They allege that the agency often deducts working days without any valid reason.
Sometimes, they are told they didn’t report to work, even when they did. The app seems to be the only tool used to monitor attendance and performance, but the data can be changed or misinterpreted to serve the agency’s interest.
As a result, employees are not paid for days they have worked, leaving them frustrated and helpless. This lack of transparency has made many lose trust in the system entirely.
The situation is made worse by consistent delays in salary payments. Many workers depend on this income to meet their daily needs, and the delay pushes them into unnecessary struggles.
Rent, food, and other expenses pile up while they wait for their money. On top of that, the agency is reportedly not issuing P9 tax forms, which are essential for employees to file taxes with the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Without these documents, workers are left exposed to possible legal problems with the taxman, even though the fault lies with the employer.
There are also troubling claims that some individuals within Bidco’s own structure may have secret connections with the agency. This raises questions about conflict of interest and whether Bidco is truly unaware of the problems or just turning a blind eye.
The fact that Bidco may be allocating a significant amount for staffing, while the actual workers receive very little, suggests that a large part of the money could be getting lost along the way. This points to wage skimming, a practice that is both unethical and illegal.
Despite being a big name in manufacturing, Bidco’s reliance on Zayn Agency is now placing its reputation at risk. Workers say the company cannot pretend to be clean when it allows such exploitation to happen through its contractors.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is now being urged to take action. The employees want investigations into Zayn Agency, and they are calling for clear laws that can protect outsourced workers from this kind of abuse.
Cyprian Is Nyakundi has pledged to follow this issue closely, speaking directly to affected workers and exposing the systems that allow such treatment to go unpunished. He has invited others working under similar conditions to share their stories confidentially.
The goal is to gather enough information to hold those in charge accountable and force real change that protects the rights and dignity of all workers involved.
Tune in as we get new details we will keep you on the know.
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