Judiciary staff oppose new NHIF rates, threaten court action

 

Judiciary employees have joined other workers’ unions opposing the reviewed National Hospital Insurance Fund deductions.

In a statement yesterday, Kenya Judicial Staff Association (KJSA) threatened to sue NHIF and acting Labour Cabinet Secretary Rachel Omamo if the new rates are effected.

KJSA Chairman Sango Mahewa said they are opposed to the new rates because they don’t know how they were arrived at as they were never consulted.

“We do not support the new deductions and we will challenge the decision in court if the same will be effected,” Mahewa said.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and dock workers under their umbrella body Trade Union Congress of Kenya (TUC-Ke) have also opposed the new rates.

TUC-Ke had also called for an industrial action, but the strike was barred by Labour Court Judge Hellen Wasilwa, who ruled that it should be put on hold until the case before her is determined.

The Judiciary employees have now called for a meeting with the CS before the new rates are effected.

“You cannot force regulations down our throats. We are not prepared to pay the money,” said the workers.