The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has expressed concern over the Salaries and Remuneration Commission's (SRC) decision to suspend revised remuneration and benefits structures for officers in county governments. KMPDU Secretary General Dr Davji Bhimji Atellah stated that the move was concerning and argued that county workers should not be subjected to selective application of fiscal responsibility.
Dr Atellah emphasised that county health workers and other county employees were public servants who deserved fair, predictable and equitable remuneration. He also argued that devolution should come with the resources and working conditions necessary for employees to deliver essential services. According to him, devolution cannot mean devolving responsibilities while withholding the resources and conditions necessary for workers to deliver essential services.
The union has called for an immediate reversal of the suspension and meaningful engagement with workers and their representatives before further action is taken. KMPDU wants the SRC, the Council of Governors, the National Treasury, the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and affected workers to engage on the matter, particularly if affordability and fiscal sustainability are the concerns behind the suspension.
Dr Atellah stated that concerns about affordability and fiscal sustainability should be addressed transparently rather than leaving county workers to bear the burden of fiscal pressures. He added that the union would not sit back as county workers are asked to carry the burden of fiscal pressures alone. The KMPDU Secretary General stressed that the wage bill was a national responsibility and the dignity of workers was non-negotiable.
The SRC's decision to suspend the revised remuneration and benefits structures has sparked fears that county workers may face financial difficulties. County workers have been advocating for better pay and working conditions, citing the high cost of living and the challenges they face in delivering essential services. The KMPDU has been at the forefront of pushing for improved working conditions and remuneration for its members.
The union's criticism of the SRC's decision has sparked a heated debate on the issue of county workers' pay. Some have argued that the SRC's decision was necessary to ensure fiscal responsibility, while others have argued that it was unfair to county workers. The KMPDU has vowed to engage with the relevant stakeholders to find a solution to the impasse.
The outcome of the engagement between the KMPDU, SRC, and other stakeholders will have a significant impact on county workers. The union has reiterated its commitment to fighting for the rights of its members and ensuring that they receive fair remuneration. The SRC's decision has also raised questions about the government's commitment to devolution and the welfare of county workers.
Key points
- The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union has criticised the Salaries and Remuneration Commission's decision to suspend revised remuneration and benefits structures for county government workers.
- The union wants the SRC, the Council of Governors, the National Treasury, the Commission on Revenue Allocation and affected workers to engage on the matter.
- The KMPDU has called for the immediate reversal of the suspension and meaningful engagement with workers and their representatives before further action is taken.
