Embu County doctors are set to go on strike starting next week, ahead of the lapse of a 21-day notice issue to the devolved unit’s administration in December last year.
According to the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah, the decision for the go-slow was arrived at after the leadership continuously failed to address the medics’ concerns.
These concerns include the failure by the Embu County government to implement the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed on June 30, 2017, and the contravention of the Scheme of Service in 2016.
Other concerns include delayed and denied promotions and the general shortage of doctors within Embu County, singling out the Embu Level V Hospital.
“We demand the immediate promotion and re-designation of all affected officers to their rightful job groups, along with the payment of corresponding arrears,” stated Dr. Atellah.
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“ We demand the conversion of these doctors to permanent and pensionable terms as stipulated in the CBA and relevant circulars. We also insist on the promotion of these officers to their rightful job groups and the payment of all owed gratuity and arrears.”
Moreover, he accused the county government of failing to remit statutory deductions, loan payments, Sacco contributions, insurance premiums, and KMPDU member contributions, terming these as violations of legal requirements and employment agreements.
The KMPDU Secretary-General also cited the alleged denial of study leave for eligible doctors, unfavorable work environments, unprocedural stoppage of salaries, victimization, and arbitrary transfers as other causes of the planned industrial action.
