Fear of losing employment, discrimination and possible retaliation has discouraged some workers from reporting labour violations, according to the Kiambu County Labour Office.

Kiambu County Labour Officer Consolata Gatwiri said some workers remain silent when their rights are violated because they fear the consequences of raising complaints against their employers.

Speaking to the Kenya News Agency in Kiambu, Gatwiri said workers are often concerned that reporting a violation could lead to the loss of their jobs or create difficulties in their workplaces.

“We assure them that their reporting doesn’t mean their jobs are lost,” she said.

The labour officer said the concerns had affected the willingness of some workers to pursue complaints through formal channels, with some opting to reach agreements with their employers instead.

Gatwiri said the labour office has also been making efforts to protect the identity of workers who raise complaints by conducting workplace visits without disclosing the names of complainants.

“We visit the workplace without mentioning names,” said Gatwiri, who has served in the labour office for five years.

She said her responsibilities include labour inspections, workplace audits, sensitisation, union reconciliation, reporting, handling strikes and addressing workers’ complaints.

She said some workers may continue working under unfavourable conditions when they choose not to report violations, adding that lack of awareness of their rights could also make it difficult for them to seek assistance.

Gatwiri said the labour office has been sensitising workers on their rights and encouraging them to seek assistance whenever they experience challenges at their workplaces.

“We normally go to them and try to inform them of their rights,” she said.

She encouraged workers who experience violations to seek help from the labour office rather than remain silent because of fear of losing their jobs or facing retaliation.

Gatwiri said workers should understand that raising a complaint allows the labour office to intervene and address workplace concerns while safeguarding the identity of complainants where necessary.

The labour officer said continued awareness among workers was important in ensuring that employees understood their rights and knew where to seek assistance when those rights were violated.

By Mitchelle Ayuma and Grace Naishoo