County Workers Issue 21-Day Nationwide Strike Notice Over Lack of Salary Review Since 2012
Kenya may be heading into a challenging period after County Government workers announced a 21-day strike notice on Wednesday.
Roba Duba, Secretary General of the County Government Workers Union, cited the lack of a salary review since 2012 as the primary reason for the strike.
This situation could further destabilize the country, which is still recovering from recent threats of strikes by doctors and teachers.
The Salaries and Remunerations Commission (SRC) has extended a freeze on salary increases for all public officers, dampening the hopes of many government employees seeking better pay.
SRC explained that the freeze was due to the government’s financial difficulties, including increasing debt repayment obligations and shortfalls in revenue collection.
In response, County Government Workers are planning to strike if the SRC does not address their concerns. Roba Duba warned that various county employees, including teachers, sewer workers, firefighters, enforcement officers, garbage collectors, revenue clerks, parking attendants, TVET instructors, mortuary staff, and ambulance personnel, would join the strike.
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The strike notice follows a court challenge by Civil Servants against SRC’s decision to freeze salary increases, claiming it violates their constitutional rights.
They argue that the decision breaches an existing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the union and the government regarding salary increments.
The petition requests the court to issue a temporary order halting SRC’s decision to freeze salary increments until a hearing can be conducted.
On Wednesday, Civil Servants postponed their strike after Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi announced that the National Treasury would release Ksh1.5 billion to the State Department for Public Service to cover the second tranche of an agreed Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS).
County Government Workers Union is now seeking similar attention to their grievances as their civil service counterparts, with many demanding salary reviews to help cope with the rising cost of living.
County Workers Issue 21-Day Nationwide Strike Notice Over Lack of Salary Review Since 2012
