By Joy Kyalo
The Salary and Remuneration Commission (SRC) has dismissed the health workers plea for an increment in risk allowance.
In a letter dated December 10 to the Council of Governors (CoG), SRC Chairperson Lyn Mengich said the allowances will be unaffordable.
“As provided for in the revised guidelines on Collective Bargaining Agreement in public service, affordability is one of the key considerations by the commission when determining parameters for collective bargaining negotiations,” she said.
According to Lyn, Counties have indicated unavailability of resources to cater for the resultant review of the CBA item as proposed by trade unions.
She advised the county public service boards to negotiate with respective trade unions with view of retaining the current rates of risk allowance up to the end of the current view cycle.
“Any proposals to the SRC should take into account affordability and will also be subjected to pay determination principles,” said Lyn.
Striking clinical officers and nurses wanted their rates increased to sh30,000 per month.
Doctors are currently earning sh20,000 risk allowance per month, nurses sh3,850 per month, clinical officers sh3,000 and other officers sh2,000.
SRC have said that they want these rates maintained.
The Council of Governors (CoG) on Thursday urged striking health workers to understand prevailing circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and put the lives of Kenyans first at a time medical staff are demanding provision of adequate personal protective equipment to shield themselves against COVID-19.
CoG Chairperson Wycliffe Oparanya, through a statement to newsrooms said the medics are well placed to call off the strike advising them to heed to a court order suspending the strike pending a scheduled hearing of a petition challenging a planned strike.
“As you are all aware the doctors went to Court and Court directed that the industrial action by the doctors to be suspended pending the hearing and determination of the application therefore the doctors are well placed to call off their strike,” he said.
