Mombasa health workers have issued a seven-day strike notice to the county government over failure to implement the return-to-work formula signed in January.
On January 3, the health workers had issued a similar strike notice accusing the county of failing to pay their November and December 2021 salaries.
However, after meetings with the county officials and payment of the salaries, the strike was called off at the last minute.
The county said it would ensure the issue of delayed salaries was completely resolved.
However, one month later, the county health workers have threatened to down their tools over salary delays and non-payment of statutory deductions.
On Monday, the doctors, clinical officers, nurses and laboratory officers said the county has failed to pay their January and February salaries.
They also said the county has failed to pay all the arrears on statutory and other deductions, which include National Health Insurance Fund.
“We note with serious concerns that the Mombasa government has persistently ignored the issue on perennial salary delay and non-remittance of deductions,” the strike notice read.
They said this is despite numerous engagements with the Mombasa government and all relevant stakeholders.
The notice is signed by officials from Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentist Union, Kenya Union of Clinical Officers and Kenyan Health Professionals Society.
Other officials are from Kenya National Union of Medical Laboratory Officers, Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologist and Kenya National Union of Nurses.
KMPDU coast branch secretary Dr Nassir Shaban said health workers have not been paid their January and February salaries.
He said this is despite the Mombasa government receiving funds from the National Treasury.
“The health care workers’ unions hereby issue a seven-day strike notice that will lapse on March 6, unless our issues are achieved in totality. This include payment of two months salaries and arrears on statutory and other deductions,” he said.
Shaban said they are open for negotiations before the notice lapses.
Mombasa secretary Joab Tumbo said they are in receipt of the letters signed by the health workers and they are working to resolve the problem.
“As a county, we are handling the matter,” he told the Star on phone.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
