Healthcare workers protest over unpaid dues and job insecurity
The UHC workers, who were employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, expressed frustration over their current employment status, which they described as "precarious" and "illegal."
Hundreds of healthcare workers under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme took to the streets of Nairobi, demanding permanent and pensionable employment, as well as the immediate payment of their pending dues.
The workers marched in protest, citing unequal treatment compared to their permanently employed colleagues.
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The UHC workers, who were employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, expressed frustration over their current employment status, which they described as "precarious" and "illegal."
They argued that they handle the same workload as their permanently employed counterparts, yet they are paid significantly less and are denied the benefits and job security that permanent employees enjoy.
They are calling for equal pay for equal work, emphasising the critical role they played during the pandemic, when they fought to defeat the virus on the front lines.
Another major concern for the protesters is the non-payment of their five-year gratuity, a sum of money that is owed to employees at the end of their contracted term.
The workers also highlighted the failure to remit their National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions, leaving them without the benefits they were promised when they first took up the positions.
"We fought and defeated the virus during the pandemic, but now, we have been forgotten," said one of the workers during the protest.
"We gave everything for this country, but in return, we are left with nothing."
The healthcare workers marched from Green Park station to Afya House, and then to the senate, where they presented their grievances to the government.
They vowed to continue fighting for fair treatment and threatened to take further action if the Ministry of Health does not respond to their needs.
"If our issues are not addressed, we will walk away from these jobs and demand the justice we deserve," one worker declared.
The workers have blamed both the Ministry of Health and Parliament for ignoring their repeated petitions and failing to address their concerns.
They argue that, despite their essential role during the pandemic, their contributions have not been adequately recognised or compensated.
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