What should I do if my employer fails to pay my salary?

First, document the unpaid salary and communicate clearly with your employer. If the issue persists, contact your recruiting agency or the relevant labor authorities for guidance and formal resolution.

Can I take legal action against my employer for non-payment?

Yes. Under Kenyan labor laws, domestic workers have the right to seek legal remedies for unpaid salaries, including filing complaints with the Ministry of Labour or pursuing court action if necessary.

How can I protect myself from future salary disputes?

Always work through a verified house girls bureau, ensure your contract is clear, keep records of your work and payments, and understand your legal rights before starting employment.

Do verified bureaus assist if my salary is delayed or unpaid?

Yes. Reputable bureaus provide support and mediation to resolve payment disputes, helping protect workers’ rights and ensuring proper follow-up with employers.

Are there steps I should follow before contacting authorities?

Yes. Document the salary owed, attempt a direct discussion with your employer, notify your recruiting bureau if applicable, and only escalate to authorities if internal resolution fails.

Boss Not Paying? 5 Things a Domestic worker Should Do If an Employer Fails to Pay Salaries

A domestic worker depends on her salary to survive. When an employer delays payment or refuses to pay completely, the worker faces stress, unpaid bills, food insecurity, family pressure, and sometimes debt. In Kenya, this is more common than most people admit. Many house helps and nannies placed by job placement bureaus find themselves in homes where agreements are not respected.

What house helps in Kenya should do when an employer delays or refuses to pay salary. Practical, legal, and safe steps to protect their rights.

A house help and her boss resolving a dispute.

The best approach is always to act calmly, follow the law, and involve the right people. A worker should never confront an employer aggressively or disappear from the job without a process. Every step should protect her safety, future job prospects, and legal rights.

1. Communicate With the Employer Professionally and Seek Clarification

Before assuming refusal, the first step should always be clear, respectful communication. In many households, salary delays happen due to genuine reasons such as:

The employer traveled unexpectedly
A bank issue
Forgetfulness
A temporary financial challenge
Miscommunication on the agreed payment date

A house help should ask directly but respectfully:

“Madam/Sir, I would like to confirm when my salary will be available.”
“I noticed the salary delay. Kindly help me understand if it will be processed soon.”

This shows professionalism and gives the employer a chance to respond responsibly.

If the Employer Gives Empty Promises

If the employer keeps postponing without explanation, the worker should document the delays. This includes:

Writing down dates
Keeping screenshots or notes
Recording promises made verbally

Documentation protects the worker later if the case goes to the placement bureau or labor office.

2. Contact the Job Placement Bureau for Intervention

A house help placed through a bureau should never handle salary disputes alone.

Job placement bureaus in Kenya have three key roles:

Protect the worker
Handle disputes professionally
Ensure the employer respects the agreement

As soon as a salary delay becomes a pattern, the house help should notify the bureau immediately.

What the Bureau Will Do

Most reputable bureaus will:

Call the employer to confirm the problem
Issue a formal reminder
Tell the employer to follow the signed agreement
Mediate the salary payment
Replace the worker if necessary
Recover unpaid salary where possible

For the worker, involving the bureau ensures:

They do not confront the employer alone
They have witnesses supporting their claim
Their job history remains protected

The bureau is always the safest first line of defense.

3. Know Your Rights as a Domestic Worker in Kenya

Many house helps accept mistreatment because they believe they have no rights. Kenyan labor laws offer strong protections for domestic workers.

Key rights under Kenyan law:

1. Right to timely salary
Section 18 of the Employment Act requires employers to pay wages on time and in full.

2. Right to a written or verbal contract
Domestic workers must receive terms of employment – even if verbal.

3. Right to fair treatment and dignity
No employer is allowed to harass, abuse, intimidate, or threaten a worker.

4. Right to seek help without punishment
A worker cannot be punished for reporting a salary dispute.

5. Right to leave an abusive or exploitative job
If payment fails repeatedly, the worker has the right to end the contract.

Understanding these rights helps a worker act confidently and legally when salary issues appear.

House Help Rights in Kenya: Salary, Leave & Working Hours Explained

4. Explore Legal and Formal Channels for Recovery of Salary

When communication fails and the employer still refuses to pay, the worker should move to the next step: formal reporting. Kenya has clear structures for this.

A. Report to the Bureau (if placed)

They will open a salary recovery file and negotiate on behalf of the worker.

B. Report to the Local Chief

Chiefs handle domestic disputes regularly and can:

Summon the employer
Record a statement
Mediate salary recovery

This creates pressure on the employer without escalating to court.

C. Report to the Labour Office (Ministry of Labour)

Labour officers handle cases involving:

Salary refusal
Underpayment
Abuse of domestic workers

They can:

Issue payment orders
Summon employers
Impose penalties

This process is free and available in every sub-county.

D. File a Claim at the Small Claims Court

If the employer still refuses, unpaid salary cases can be filed under the Small Claims Court, which handles disputes under KSh 1 million.

This is usually a last resort because:

It takes time
It requires evidence
The worker may need to appear in hearings

However, it is highly effective when the employer has clearly refused to pay.

5. Plan an Exit Strategy Safely and Responsibly

If an employer refuses to pay salary, especially repeatedly, the house help should not remain in that job. Financial exploitation is a form of abuse.

However, leaving must be done safely, with involvement from the bureau or a responsible authority.

Safe exit steps:

Notify the bureau
They will guide the worker on when and how to leave.
Avoid sneaking out at night or running away
This can create conflict and damage future job prospects.
Pack belongings when the employer is aware or supervised
To avoid theft accusations.
Ensure a witness is present
The bureau, a relative, or a local authority.
Ensure unpaid salary is documented
Even if not paid immediately, documentation helps follow-up later.

The Goal

The worker should walk away:

Safely
Respectfully
Without confrontation
Without losing dignity
With a clear path for salary recovery

A responsible exit protects both the worker and the bureau’s reputation.

Additional Advice for House Helps and Nannies in Kenya

A. Always Keep a Simple Record

A notebook or phone notes with:

Dates of payment
Salary agreements
Conversations
Any deductions

This makes salary recovery easier.

B. Avoid Working Without a Clear Agreement

Even a simple verbal agreement should include:

Salary amount
Payment date
Rest days
Duties

If the employer changes the terms without discussion, the worker should alert the bureau immediately.

C. Avoid Confrontation or Anger

Angry arguments can escalate and may be used against the worker. Calm communication is more effective.

D. Know When to Leave

Staying in a job with repeated salary problems keeps the worker in poverty. Leaving early prevents long-term exploitation.

Conclusion

Salary refusal or delay is a serious issue that affects many house helps and nannies in Kenya. A worker should never suffer quietly or take actions that put her job or safety at risk. The right approach is:

Communicate professionally
Involve the placement bureau
Understand your legal rights
Use formal reporting channels
Exit safely if the situation continues

Every domestic worker deserves respect, fair pay, and dignity. No employer has the right to withhold salary or exploit a house help. With the right steps and support from the bureau, a worker can recover her pay and transition to a better, safer job.

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