By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The Ministry of Labour has moved to mediate over the ongoing doctor’s strike.
Doctors allied to the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union (KMPDU) have been on strike for about a month month.
Efforts to reach a consensus between then and the government have not yet succeeded.
But on Monday, Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore met top KMPDU officials led by the Secretary General Dr Davji Attelah.In an update on her social media pages, the CS said the Ministry was committed to finding a solution to the strike soon.
She also noted that the doctor’s union had affirmed its commitment and willingness to negotiate.
“Had a meeting with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentist Union (KMPDU) officials at my office today – Our commitment is to ensure harmonious labour relations between employers and workers and that a solution is found soon,” CS Bore said on Monday.
“I’m glad to note that KMPDU is open for dialogue and ready to negotiate even as a team led by the Chair conciliation committee continues to look at ways of solving the grievances raised by the Union and get an amicable solution,” she added.
Doctors are demanding for the implementation of the 2017 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that they signed with the government.
The CBA provides for among others huge renumeration for medical interns, an issue that has become a hot potato.
While the government says it cannot secure funds to finance the huge salary for the interns, KMPDU insists it was fairly negotiated.
The Salaries and Renumeration Commission (SRC) has also sided with the government, recommending a maximum of Ksh70,000. This is despite the commission previously giving a green light to the 2017 CBA.
President William Ruto last week asked the striking doctors to accept the government offer – expressing the need for the country to live within its means.
Doctors have however maintained that they will remain on strike despite facing sack threats from their respective employers.
