NAN-F-47
Strike
Nairobi, March 7, 2017 (Reuters/NAN) The Kenyan government on Tuesday ordered striking medical staff to resume work with immediate effect, adding that it had withdrawn an offer of a 50 per cent pay hike after the workers’ union inflexible negotiations.
It had offered the increase on condition the union called off the strike.
“Consequently for failure to call off the strike, the government has now rescinded this offer and there will be no further negotiations,” it said in a statement
According to the statement, the doctors are expected to resume duty with immediate effect”.
The strike, which began in December, has provoked anger among Kenyans and put pressure on President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government ahead an election in August.
The doctors’ union, which has about 5,000 members, wants the government to implement a deal agreed in 2013 to give them a 150 – 180 per cent pay rise.
That agreement also called for a review of working conditions, job structures and criteria for promotions and address under-staffing in state hospitals.
The lengthy standoff between the doctors and the government has seen some union officials serve short jail terms after being found guilty of contempt of court in relation to the strike.
Opposition Leader, Raila Odinga, blamed the government for failing to resolve the pay disagreement.
(Reuters/NAN)
OYE/MO
=====Edited by Celine-Damilola Oyewole/Morayo Omolade