Embu doctors end strike after reaching deal with county
Some of the doctors in Embu County, who have threatened to go on strike over poor working conditions, during a meeting in Embu town on September 1, 2020.
What you need to know:
- Their decision came after the county agreed to their terms and signed a favourable return-to-work formula.
- Kenya National Union of Nurses chair, Joseph Ngwasi, said the workers were happy that the government agreed to address their grievances.
Embu health workers on Sunday called off their strike and agreed to return to work on Monday.
Their decision came after the county agreed to their terms and signed a favourable return-to-work formula.
The agreement was reached in a meeting with county Health executive Patrick Waganagwa and his Finance counterpart John Njagi.
Kenya National Union of Nurses chair, Joseph Ngwasi, said the workers were happy that the government agreed to address their grievances.
"We are satisfied with steps so far taken and shall start attending to patients who have been suffering," added Mr Ngwasi.
Key issues
The workers went on strike over delayed salaries and non-payment of Covid-19 allowances.
All health services at Embu County Referral Hospital and other health facilities were paralysed.
The medical workers also accused Governor Martin Wambora's administration of failing to send money deducted from their salaries to various institutions, saying this was aimed at crippling labour movements by starving them of contributions from their members.
The strike was also in protest against delayed remittance of third-party deductions such as loans, insurance premiums, contributions for saccos and the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) and trade union dues.
They said some funds have not been remitted since 2013.
Further, the workers called for harmonisation of salaries of contract personnel in line with the Employment Act and the immediate clearance of delayed promotions and re-designations.
