KMPDU Gives A 21-Day Strike Notice As Health Ministry Plays Aloof
The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has issued a 21-day strike warning, effective December 22, if the government fails to follow the conditions of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah issued a statement on Tuesday expressing concern with the government’s continued failure to enact the CBA.
“The national and county governments have totally disregarded our agreements,” said Dr. Atellah.
“It is an extraordinary time when promises and agreements are not honored and mean nothing, a time when a Collective Bargaining Agreement that has been honored and respected for over 7 years can be bastardized by one government directive.”
Dear Kenyans, the culture of lies in this government is spiralling out of control… we must put a stop to this culture of lies. pic.twitter.com/E1H3IlEJmp
— KMPDU (@kmpdu) December 3, 2024
“A time when Governors can appear in media and boldly proclaim that they shall not comply to the agreement and affirm that they only signed the agreement to trick doctors back to work. A time when the pervasive culture of lies reign supreme in every boardroom.”
The union also condemned the government’s disregard for court orders, particularly the October 26, 2024 judgment that recognized the CBA on the wage package for medical interns.
“The doctor intern wages have been reduced by 70%, a situation unforeseen in workers’ history in this country and the world over,” stated Dr. Atellah.
“It is on the backdrop of these unfilled promises and impunity on our interns by both the national and county governments that the 10th KMPDU special delegate sitting on 30th November 2024 ratified NAC decision for industrial action.”
“The ‘crisis’ National Advisory Council deliberation on 2nd December 2024 unanimously voted for a 21-day-strike notice. Therefore, today December 3, 2024, we hereby issue a 21-day strike notice, to commence on the 22nd December 2024 If our demands as per the return-to-work formula remain unfilled.”
We have issued a 21-day strike notice. The nationwide doctors strike is to commence on 22nd December 2024 at 23:59:59. #government fulfils your promises in #RTWF, respect CBA. #Pay Interns.
— Davji Bhimji Atellah (@Davji) December 3, 2024
According to the KMPDU CEO, delays in enforcing the CBA have resulted in a shrinking number of healthcare professionals, with those who remain severely overworked.
ALSO READ:
- Outrage After 25-Year-Old Man Dies In Police Custody
- ODM’s Oburu Responds To Reports Of Suspending Coalition Talks With UDA
- “Don’t Attack Public Infrastructure!” – IG Kanja Asks Kenyans, Issues Orders To Police
- “NO MORE NIL TAX RETURNS!” – KRA Tells Kenyans, Introduces New Changes
- Eliud Owalo Blasts Ruto Gov’t, Demands EACC & DCI Investigations Into Fake Sugar Scandal
Meanwhile, the public continues to get insufficient medical care in public facilities.
“Doctors among other healthcare workers have experienced extremely delayed salaries, very long working hours without honoring payments of overtime at all, lack of attending to leave, lack of a responsive & working health insurance cover and lack of compensation during post-graduate training,” he said.
“We are tired of the rhetoric of goodwill when the government is in contempt of the court orders that adopted the unimplemented return to work formula,” he continued.
“We are tired of the rhetoric of essential service workers when the government is in contempt of the judgement delivered on 26th October 2024 that validated our CBA on the remuneration package of interns painfully negotiated 7 years ago.”
KMPDU Gives A 21-Day Strike Notice As Health Ministry Plays Aloof
