Kenya: Trade Unions oppose health insurance tax

  1. Posted on Friday 28 September 2012 - 11:31
    Alal
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    MAURICE ALAL , AfricaNews reporter in Kisumu, Kenya
    Central Organization of Trade Unions - Kenya (COTU-K) and Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) have opposed the new National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) that its implementation is scheduled for October 1, 2012. The COTU-K ,Secretary General, Francis Atwoli said the new rates were unrealistic and uncalled for to Kenyan workers.
    Hospital
    Atwoli urged the Minister for Medical Services, Prof Anyang Nyongo' stop intimidating and molesting workers of their right saying the new NHIF rates should be reviewed in consultation with the trade unions.

    "We have obtained a court order barring the minister from implementing the new rates," Atwoli said. He warned employers on behalf of the FKE not to effect the new NHIF rates nor make remittances of the new rates from their employees' monthly earning terming it illegal.

    However, the Executive Director of FKE, Jacqueline Mugo said Prof Nyongo' should embrace social dialogue with Kenyan workers to find an amicable solution to new NHIF rates instead of dictatorship that is likely to bring industrial unrest and strike in the country.

    "As trade unions official, we will move to court to seek for the arrest of the minister to answer some charges if he failed to honour the court injunction issued," the duo said.Mugo also warned workers not to allow any deductions of the new NHIF rates on their monthly earnings until further directions by the unions.

    The duo revealed that the agreement signed on May 8, 2012 by COTU-K ,FKE and government has not been honoured by the minister particularly Part (c) of the agreement on need for the parties to enter into dialogue of the new rates.

    Atwoli further stated that the recommendation of the Special Full Board Meeting of the NHIF Caretaker Committee that was dully appointed by President Mwai Kibaki on August 8, 2012 that the new rates be degazetted has not been effected

    " We appeal for the government to reconsider the agreement and adhere by it stipulated in the constitution," he remarks.This, Atwoli said was to allow goodwill and pave way for wider consultations with stakeholders but so far has been defied by the medical ministry.
    END

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