Chinese companies in Kenya undertake to prioritize welfare of their employees

Chinese enterprises operating in Kenya have undertaken to give paramount priority to the welfare of their local staff.

Led by the China Road and Bridges Corporation (CRBC), the companies have emphasized the need to help lessen the burden of their staff especially as they take their children through school.

It’s against this backdrop that the said companies will give important consideration to children of those working for them as they issue annual scholarships to the needy in the country.

CRBC deputy chief economic Xie Tienzhu made the revelation last week when a group of outstanding Kenyan employees in Chinese companies working in Kenya paid a visit to the company headquarters in Beijing.

“We want to prioritize the welfare of our staff especially in educating their children.” Xie said

Addressing the employees drawn from various Chinese companies in Kenya, Mr Xie noted that matters of social responsibility remain pertinent to their overseas companies as they endeavor to improve livelihoods in host countries.

He said CRBC, for instance, has already established a kitty to address the needs of its employees who are experiencing challenges in paying fees for their children in school.

It is here that Cosmas Beliti Duwe an employee of more than 20 years at CRBC and China Communications and Construction Company poured his heart out, disclosing that paying his son’s school fees in university has not been easy. He sought to find out whether his son can benefit from scholarship opportunities offered by Chinese companies.

“My son is studying Bachelor of Statistics in one of the Universities in Kenya. He did not qualify for government loan to enable him continue his studies and this has been a burden to me because of many other responsibilities in my hands.” He said

Feeling ecstatic after a meeting with officials of his parent company in Beijing, Duwe said “when I realized my parent company issues scholarships to needy children in the country, I decided to pursue the matter with the management. I asked whether my son who is in university can benefit from that program.”

His prayers appeared to have been heard as Mr Xie assured him that the company will address his plight given that “you are one of us.”

“As someone who has worked with us for a long time, we believe helping your child through school should not be a problem.” He said

Xie said he will engage his colleagues in Nairobi so that the issue can be handled as a matter of priority. He said the company will expedite the process of helping Duwe’s son and others in the same situation through University.

“We intend to proceed quickly with this matter and give you a positive feedback on the same as soon as possible.” He said

Duwe couldn’t hide his joy with this promise from the company boss. To him, all he ever dreams of is for his son to finalize his studies and thereafter find a good job.

“I will be extremely grateful if the company lends a hand in this regard. If my son completes his studies, he may even get a job with one of the Chinese companies which will translate to a better future for all of us.” He said

At the same time, the CRBC official disclosed that all overseas Chinese companies are under instructions to expedite transition of local staff working for their companies to higher levels of management.

He said this is one way to motivate their employees as they seek to improve the working terms and conditions for staff in host countries.