A wage theft case has ordered Swahili Village, a Kenyan fine-dining establishment in Washington, DC, and its owner, Kevin Onyona, to pay $526,973 in restitution, penalties, and other fees.
The Kenyan fine-dining restaurant allegedly “failed to pay overtime wages, distribute tips, and provide legally required paid sick leave.”
Additionally, “Swahili Village DC systematically stole wages and tips from its servers, hosts, food runners, bussers, and bartenders and violated multiple DC labour laws,” according to the allegations.
According to this settlement, “Swahili Village DC and Onyona must pay more than $260,000 to 72 restaurant workers, fund the process to distribute worker restitution, and pay penalties to the District.”
“Businesses should keep their hardworking employees from the full benefits they have earned and are legally entitled to. This exploits workers and gives employers an unfair advantage over their competitors who follow the rules,” said a DC attorney.
“Our office’s commitment to combating wage theft in DC continues with this significant victory for dozens of mistreated Swahili Village workers.”
Swahili Village and Onyona have agreed to pay a total of $526,973.28 (the “gross settlement value”). The Gross Settlement Value (GSV) comprises two components: (a) a “worker share” of $329,358.30, which covers the alleged base damages and liquidated damages due to Swahili Village workers, and (b) a “district share” of $197,614.98 for the district.
People of colour, including many young African immigrants, make up the vast majority of Swahili Village, DC.
