By Collins Matubwi<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Kenya National Union of Nurses (Knun) has joined other trade unions in\nprotesting the move by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to freeze\npay hike for public servants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Knun now says they are supporting calls by the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) to bring services in the public sector to a halt if SRC fail to rescind the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe National Executive Council (NCE) met on June 19 virtually and agreed\nthat Knun joins other trade unions in push for industrial strike in the public\nservice to protest the move by SRC for sidestepping its mandate,\u201d said Seth\nPanyako, the union Secretary General.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said Knun was in talks with all unions in the health sector to also join\nthe bandwagon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSRC cannot stop the implementation of Article 41 (5) of the 2010 constitution, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention (98) and the Labour Relations Act that gives workers a right to a better pay,\" said Panyako<\/code><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nHe wondered why SRC did not oppose a proposal in the Building Bridges\nInitiative (BBI) to increase the number of MPs and Senators and expand the\nexecutive as well as endorsing the Sh2million car grant to ward reps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Panyako, SRC commissioners, MPs and state officers are the ones\nwho take home hefty salaries at the expense of other public servants earning\nmeagre salaries “it will be a spat in their face to freeze salary\nincrement while hiding under bloated wage bill claims.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSRC cannot stop the implementation of Article 41 (5) of the 2010\nconstitution, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) convention (98) and\nthe Labour Relations Act that gives workers a right to a better pay.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added: \u201cAll proposals must be through a Collective Bargaining Agreement\n(CBA) and SRC has a role in that. If the economy can sustain what is contained\nin the BBI, why not let public servants be given a salary increment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Opetu criticized the government for using SRC to subject public servants\nto more suffering following the directive, arguing that even medics who were\ninfected with Covid-19 were forced to buy their own oxygen instead of the\ngovernment covering for the bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n