Unions lock horns over new NHIF rates

Two trade unions are fighting over the newly negotiated National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) rates.

Public Service Trade Unions of Kenya (Pusetu) is accusing Central Organisations of Trade Unions (Cotu) of locking other stakeholders out of its negotiations with the NHIF.

Pusetu chairman Tom Odege claims all workers were not represented in the talks and is now demanding fresh negotiations on the rates.

Under the new rates negotiated during a retreat in Mombasa, low-income workers will contribute Sh150 while those earning more than 100,000 will remit Sh1,700 a month for the insurance scheme.

Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli maintains the deal was above board and that all employees were adequately represented in the talks.

In a press statement Sunday, Mr Atwoli dismissed Pusetu’s calls for fresh negotiations. “Opposition to the new rates is based on ignorance by individuals who have no idea who the beneficiaries of the newly negotiated package will be,” said Mr Atwoli.

“These calls are misplaced, misguided, uncalled for and irregular,” he added.

On his part, Mr Odege said the new rates were not better than the previous ones that saw Cotu move to court seeking their nullification.

“You cannot negotiate rates with a section of workers and expect that to be popular to all workers. This is a cover for all Kenyan workers and Cotu cannot pretend to have the final say,” said Mr Odege.

Mr Atwoli said all public servants together with the members of the disciplined force already enjoy a different scheme within the NHIF that has nothing to do with the recently negotiated scheme.

“It is irregular for Pusetu to demand discussions be started afresh yet Cotu never interfered when they negotiated for their scheme currently in force,” said Mr Atwoli.

Mr Odege said Pusetu wanted a review to ensure fairness.