Doctors Threaten to Strick’s
In response to the government’s refusal to implement, among other things, the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has vowed to call for a strike.
Doctors Threaten to Strick’s
The union disappointed that the conciliation process started by the Ministry of Labor to address their complaints had not succeeded in resolving any of the issues they had mentioned. KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Bhimji said in a statement to newsrooms that the delay calls into question how serious their employers are about complying with their demands.
The Ministry of Health promised to post 360 interns from December, but according to the union, nothing has happened despite that promise. According to Davji, they also concurred that medical interns should be placed and compensated appropriately, but as of right now, no payment guarantee has been made. The 2017–2021 CBA stipulated that the compensation on basic wage be settled no later than 60 days from January 4; however, this deadline has not yet been satisfied, according to the KMPDU boss.
KMPDU regrettably expressed disappointment that the conciliation process started by the Ministry of Labor to address their complaints had not been successful. According to KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Bhimji, the delay raises concerns about how serious their employers are about complying with their demands. The Ministry of Health made a guarantee on January 4, but the union said that 360 interns from December had not yet been placed.
Our position is that the conciliation, having completely failed to yield any result thus far, it is therefore untenable and a waste of resources. Unless a case is presented for our continued participation in this process, we shall consider the dispute unresolved under Section 69 and move that our industrial action be sanctioned by the Court orders in Nairobi,” said Davji.
