Exposed: GBS Television’s Dirty Secrets; Racism,Favoritism,Bullying And Dictatorship
Talk of impunity, dictatorship and intimidation, these are the kind of actions which should never be tolerated in the 21st century Kenya. Our deteriorating economy, improper regulations and lack of employment has made many of us young people to drop our guards and allow the rich and powerful to use us, while we toil to furnish their frivolous lifestyles. There comes a time when the despots have to speak up, rise against racism, bullying, amongst other imposed atrocities..
GBS TV is one of the Korean owned company that has ignored rules and regulations of human labor and operates at their own free will. This Korean owned TV station is located on Thika road behind Safari Park hotel and just 200 meters from USIU, it is based in Goodnews Mission Nairobi Church which is the founder of the station.
Close to six years ago when the station started operating in Kenya it recruited venerable young people and a few graduates most of who didn’t have knowledge of broadcasting. The company promised to make them experts in digital broadcasting field in exchange for their labor and many more goodies that made some slave and toil continuously. Some of the promises were that, in three years all would be driving and living comfortably,Six years down the line the workers are still languishing in abject poverty, it is now three months since they were last paid their salaries. Some have moved out of their houses and now live with friends, those families are having it rough, living with debts from friends while waiting for a better day.
Last Thursday, my Colleague and I left for GBS, we hoped to get to the bottom of it all and possibly help the suffering workers, the managers were away at a bible crusade that had cost the company a whooping 20million!!
“The Korean managers are so mean and cold. They have created an environment where no one can ask or say anything. The African managers are so afraid especially of the young Korean managers. Who at times shout at them disrespectfully in front of everybody in the office, sometimes they even slap them! The Korean Managers often intimidate people with layoffs or salary deductions which come with other compulsory deductions from church activities..” A disgruntled employee would tell me, tears welling in his eyes.
“..were made to sign agreements which favor the company only. When you get late to work for three days even if it’s a minute, you get deducted a full day’s salary but when we work overtime we are not compensated. There are no mechanisms for extra time compensation. A manager gives you a warning letter for any mistake even if it’s their fault, three warning letters means a permanent dismissal. Due to frequent salary delay we are forced to walk to work, work the whole day without any meals and leave no later than 6p.m…”
On 13th– 16th of this month the company prepared a much publicized NATIONAL PEACE BIBLE CRUSADE at Nyayo stadium with the budget going over 20 Million. Yet since August the workers had not received their salaries.
Korean managers lead posh lives, drive expensive cars, shop at TRM and have their meals at high-end hotels. They are living big while the workers can’t afford even the most basic of commodities..
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The workers are asking for any form of intervention from the Government, they can’t quit given the unavailability of jobs in the country, all they need is consideration, they do their best at work! It is their right to have salaries!! Somebody do something! Fast!
