The Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacist and Dentists Union has postponed their planned demonstrations, originally set for today, in order to continue negotiations with the government. KMPDU Secretary-General Davji Atellah has explained in a letter to union members that the peaceful protests have been delayed to an unspecified date to facilitate ongoing talks aimed at addressing doctors’ grievances.
The Striking medical union KMPDU however noted that it will only sign the return to work formula on condition that that the govt comes to the table with clean hands
Speaking after the Employment and Labour Relations Court extended by 48 hours the signing of the document and deposit to court, KMPDU Secretary general Davji Atellah insisted that the return to work formula must meet the terms anchored in the 2017 Collective Bargaining agreement.
According to Atellah, the union will not be forced to sign the document under duress
“This decision comes in light of ongoing negotiation that has been scheduled for today, 7th May 2024, at 10:00 am. We believe that engaging in the negotiation is crucial in addressing the concerns and grievances that led to the planned demonstration,” said Dr Atellah.
The court convenes again tomorrow afternoon with the hope that govt and the doctors will have appended to a formula after a failed attempt last week Friday with the thorny issue of posting of medical interns and self sponsorship of registrars issues sticking out.
One of the main sticking points has been the government’s proposal of a Ksh.70,000 salary for medical interns, which falls significantly short of the Ksh.206,000 stipulated in the CBA. This offer, among others, has been rejected by the doctors, leading to the ongoing deadlock in negotiations.
Despite being engaged in negotiations with a committee involving the Ministry of Health, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, and the Head of Public Service, the talks have not yielded any positive outcomes.
The doctors strike has entered the 55th day today