Civil Servants Union threatens to pull out workers over late dues

The Union of Kenya Civil Servants has decried delayed payment of salary to county workers, saying it is affecting service delivery and workers' wellness.

The Union has therefore given county governments a five-day notice to clear all pending salaries failure to which it will call for withdrawal of workers from the counties.

Speaking to The Standard, National Chairman Noah Rotich also accused county governments of delayed non-remittance of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), National Security Social Fund (NSSF) and loan deductions to the banks which are attracting penalties and surcharge by banks.

Rotich said non-remittance of PAYE is akin to economic crime and will cause employees serious penalties instituted by KRA.

He said this goes against the workers rights adding that it will end up having a direct impact on service delivery because it is demoralising workers

Rotich said the most notorious counties are Kakamega, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu and Mombasa where majority of workers have not received their July salaries among other allowances.

"There is a big outcry by county workers across the country that will affect delivery of services if quick action is not be taken," he said.

The Union head said in Kakamega county, more than 4,000 workers inherited from the former local authority have not been paid yet no explanation has been offered for the delay.

The chairman said besides workers in Kakamega and Mombasa having not received their salaries, they have also not been able to receive medical cover due to county's failure to remit to NHIF since April this year.

"Development can only be attained if workers are healthy and county governments must ensure that these transactions are conducted on time," Rotich said.

Rotich said in Bomet, workers have received their salaries but they are yet to receive their bank remittance loans for the last three months.

He said the Union is dismayed that it continues to receive information from its members that they are being frustrated by county governments saying this is can no longer be tolerated.

"The union will ask its members to participate in an action to be disclosed next week because workers cannot be subjected to miseries at the expense of service delivery," he said.

Rotich said the county government should act on all the complaints it has received saying this will not only guarantee that effective service delivery is offered but it will be abiding to the rule of law and the constitution's statutes.