Umbrella trade union threatens nationwide strike over National Hospital Insurance Fund rates

Deputy Secretary General Trade Union Congress of Kenya, Dr Charles Mukhwaya. [PHOTO: OMONDI ONYANGO/STANDARD]

A trade unions’ umbrella body has threatened a nationwide strike of civil servants on Wednesday if the new National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) are not revoked.

Trade Unions Congress of Kenya (TUC-K) officials vowed to bring operations to a standstill if the government does not review the recently gazetted NHIF rates.

Speaking in Mombasa yesterday at a press conference, TUC-K national deputy secretary general, Dr Charles Mukhwaya gave the government up to Tuesday 31, to revoke the new rates or face industrial action from its 600,000 members who include teachers, university workers, dock workers and civil servants.

“If the government will not have replied to our demands by Tuesday midnight, we’ll have no choice but to down our tools,” said Dr Mukhwaya.

Dr Mukhwaya said it was wrong for the government to gazette the new rates without the workers’ consent.

He pointed out that workers were likely to get a raw deal as services offered at the public hospitals listed under the scheme were in deplorable state. He pointed out that workers should have started to enjoy the benefits immediately.

“How do you tell someone to start contributing from April, but wait until July to start enjoying services?” posed Dr Mukhwaya.

Dock Workers Union Secretary General Simon Sang, said it will rally its members who include ferry workers in the industrial action if the government refuses to revoke the new rates.

The new NHIF rates are captured under Legal Gazette Notice Number 14 of the Kenya Gazzette Supplement number 12 of February 6, 2015.