On Monday, November 30, the unions called for a work stoppage and believed that the government did not adequately protect professionals in the sector against Covid-19. They are asking for more resources, extra premiums and better social coverage. Finally, this Sunday evening, December 6, a few hours before the start of the strike, the unions closed the slogan.
as reported from Nairobi,Sebastien nemeth
The unions have decided to give the dialogue one last chance. This Sunday evening, they went on strike for 14 days, warning that if their demands were not met, the work stoppage would begin on December 21.
This anger is moving at a very bad time for Kenya. As the 1500 death toll has just passed, the daily number of sick records broke at the end of November. More than a thousand people are in hospitals, undermining Kenya’s capabilities. There is also the Christmas approach and its traditional population movements.
But for the unions, the price to pay is already too high. Already ten specialists and more than 30 nurses have been killed by Covid-19.
The government is giving way
The workers are demanding that the government hire 10,000 health workers, provide stocks of protective equipment, comprehensive insurance and bonuses for those on the front lines.
On Thursday, the authorities released ballast. The Ministers for Labor and Health jointly promised that the requirements would be met. The government ordered the Swedish Medicines Agency to distribute $ 30 million in protective equipment. It has committed to providing comprehensive insurance to the most exposed agents and $ 63 million has been set aside.
However, promises are slow and unions are putting pressure. They are expecting two meetings in particular on Wednesday and Thursday in front of the congregation and the senate to find a definitive solution and end the crisis.
►Listening: Kenya: in Kibera, “we did not die of Covid-19 but we risk starvation”
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