State To Institute Disciplinary Action Against Striking Doctors
Striking doctors are now staring at possible loss of jobs should they refuse to sign a negotiated return-to-work formula on Monday.
Felix Koskei, the Head of Public Service who chairs the ‘Whole of the Nation Approach’ committee said the government will next week seek court orders to institute disciplinary action against the doctors after they introduced new demands.
“We are going to petition the court to allow us to take any necessary action to alleviate the problem that is obtaining and at the same time to ensure that the lives and health of people of Kenya are safeguarded,” Koskei said.
State To Institute Disciplinary Action Against Striking Doctors
Koskei’s remarks came after the doctors’ union officials on Friday declined to sign the agreed terms after daylong talks.
According to the doctors nothing had changed in the document that they were required to sign in relation to their demands.
After the medics walked out of the talks, Koskei once the court order is released, the government will utilise the Sh2.4 billion allocated for hiring intern doctors for other intervening priorities like floods.
The head of the Head of Public Service further said that the government does not have money to accommodate all demands fronted by the doctors.
State To Institute Disciplinary Action Against Striking Doctors
What is remaining is the government to seek orders to compel the doctors to report to work failing which the government will proceed and recruit new doctors.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi who is also the Council of Governors (CoG) Health Committee chair said the government has met almost 99.9 per cent of the issues raised by doctors.
Incase the government will be forced to replace striking doctors the Labour laws will be followed to dot.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha accused the doctors of insincerity adding that they introduced fresh demands.
“The government and doctors failed to negotiate on only one issue; the posting of interns” Health CS added.
The CS added that the ministry has already signed the agreement, which now awaits to be deposited in court on Monday.
State To Institute Disciplinary Action Against Striking Doctors
Doctors have been on strike since March 14 demanding full implementation of their Colledtive Bargaining Agreement signed in 2017.
The government has offered Sh70,000 monthly stipend which they have rejected.
