Kwale health workers strike over pay rise, perks

Health workers in Kwale downed their tools on Wednesday demanding payment of their allowances.

The strike follows failed negotiations with the county government.

ADAMAND

The workers were adamant that they would only resume duty after being paid their allowances and getting Sh20,000 salary rise for job groups G to L.

The laboratory technologists, counsellors, physiotherapists, biological engineers, nutritionists, pharmaceutical and health record keepers said they had exhausted all other options and had withdrawn their services as a last resort.

“Today we have one word: that health service allowance must be given today or the demonstration will go on. The threats by the county government to lay us off will not deter our efforts to demand what is rightfully ours,” said Boniface Kaingu, the health workers' representative.

PROMOTIONS

Apart from salaries, the health workers complained of delayed promotions, discrimination and harassment as well as poor working conditions.

Mr Kaingu said the county government should urgently address their demands.

Health executive Athuman Chiguzo said it was agreed that health professionals from group G to L would receive a Sh20,000 salary increment while those in group M and above will get Sh15,000 and mortuary attendants  Sh7,500.

“We are waiting for Treasury circular for us to pay your allowances," she told the workers.

BACKDATED

"It will be backdated to January 2017. This is a matter that cannot be done in isolation as a county. There are guidelines and directions to be followed from the relevant authorities."

Mr Chizugo assured the workers their grievances would be addressed.

“We are ready to negotiate with striking workers so that normalcy can be restored in the county. We ask them to be patient as the negotiations are on going to address their issues,” said Mr Chiguzo.

The ministry of Health, she said, had also agreed to support counties during this transition to enable the devolved units pay allowances from January to June 2017 to avoid any industrial unrest.

Mr Chiguzo pleaded with the  workers to be "considerate and offer their services."