US-Based Kenyan Man to Pay KSh 68.6m in Recovering Swahili Village Restaurant after Wage Theft Case

 

Swahili Village restaurant and the owner Kevin Onyona 

Kevin Onyona and his business associate Emad Shoeb will pay $526,973 (KSh 68.6 million) to restore the Swahili Village restaurant in Washington, DC, USA. Swahili Village restaurant (l) in Washing DC, US and the owner Kevin Onyona (r) accused of stiffing employees salaries for years. The Kenyan fine-dining establishment was accused of paying workers a minimal hourly wage, which is against US labour laws. Why Swahili Village restaurant will pay over KSh 68m Washington, D.C.'s Attorney General's office said the changes will be paid in restitution, penalties, and other fees to settle a wage theft case.  The DC's attorney found that the Swahili Village restaurant "failed to pay overtime wages, distribute tips, and provide legally required paid sick leave." "Swahili Village DC systematically stole wages and tips from its servers, hosts, food runners, bussers, and bartenders and violated multiple DC labour laws. "Under the terms of this settlement, Swahili Village DC and Onyona must pay more than $260,000 (KSh 33.9 million) to 72 restaurant workers, fund the process to distribute worker restitution, and pay penalties to the District," said DC Attorney General's office. The office noted that it is unacceptable and illegal for businesses to steal from their hardworking employees. It further noted that employers who do so exploit their workers and gain an unfair advantage over their competitors who follow business rules. . “This is a significant win for dozens of Swahili Village workers who were mistreated and continues our office’s commitment to combatting wage theft in the District of Columbia,” the office added. How much will Swahili Village pay workers? The Gross Settlement Value of $526,973.28 (KSh 68.6 million) consists of a “Worker Share” of $329,358.3 (KSh 42.9 million). This includes alleged base damages and liquidated damages to be paid to Swahili Village workers. There is also a "District Share” of $197,614.98 (KSh 25.7 million) to be paid to the District. The restaurant was sued for underpaying some workers by up to $5,000 (KSh 651,250), some of whom are immigrants from Africa.

by  Wycliffe Musalia