The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmaceuticals and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has threatened to take to the streets if the government does not pay intern doctors as per the signed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
In a statement on November 9, KMPDU said payment of interns will be done for the uncontested cadres.
The union clarified that the only payment in dispute is the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) circular that contravenes the KMPDU CBA.
KMPDU said doctors will down their tools if the Ministry of Health (MoH) refuses to move from their proposed pay of Ksh47,000 to Ksh70,000 for intern doctors as per the CBA agreement.
“We must all be ready to act. When all other avenues do not work, then the power of workers is in withholding their skills. The cornerstone of negotiations and dialogues is in the demonstrations, sit-ins, and strikes as envisioned by the industrial court,” reads part of the statement.
Negotiation Ongoing with 45 Days Ultimatum
The union said they have had several meetings with the MoH that ended at a deadlock on October 31, 2024.
KMPDU said the Ministry was stuck at the SRC circular of Ksh47,000 to Ksh70,000 gross, while the union stood by CBA rate.
The union said it will continue to engage in negotiations for the next 45 days but it will be forced to take to the streets if the patrties fail to agree.
“We shall negotiate for 45 days in the boardroom, but, when necessary, we shall begin to negotiate on the streets and finally negotiate at home,” reads another part of the statement.
KMPDU said negotiations are currently ongoing, but told the courts and government that negotiations are not limited to the boardrooms.
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KMPDU Meeting with Public Service
This announcement comes after KMPDU had a 3-hour meeting with Head of Public Service Felix Koskei at Harambee house on November 7.
“The engagement was more progressive, and more meetings were scheduled for next week. We shall communicate when we have a concrete outcome,” adds the statement.
The union said all parties must comply with the court orders and negotiate with the ultimate aim of protecting the sanctity of the CBA.
Also Read: KMPDU Clarifies Ruling on Interns Demand for Ksh206 K Salaries
Govt Allocate Funds for Intern Salaries
Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni said the government will clear salaries of the intern doctors.
Muthoni said the government has released Ksh1.75 billion of the promised Ksh3.5 billion conditional grant to the counties
“We have budgets for the interns this year and we will be paying where there is not contention. So, the interns who are on that field who have been working for months will be paid,” she said.
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