Mombasa, 2nd July, 2021
Nairobi City Branch and Nairobi Staff Branch of Kenya County Government workers union jointly met with the Nairobi City County Executive to deliberate on staff welfare matters.
Earlier in the year, the two Union bodies presented proposed recommendations on grievances to the Deputy Governor and Acting Governor H. E Ann Kananu. The grievances included; Re-designation and right placement, delayed salaries, unremitted statutory deductions, pending disciplinary matters, promotions and career progression, healthcare and workers injuries benefit, off days and overtime and working environment and disability mainstreaming.
The acting County Secretary Dr. Jairus Musumba assured the respective Union groups that the County is committed to ensuring meeting the Union half way and working hand in hand. Said Dr. Musumba, “The County Executive led by H.E Ann Kananu has a lot of good will and is prioritizing staff welfare and health. We shall walk together with the Union. As it is in our best interest to do so.”
The Director Human Resource management, Ms. Lilian Maina said that the HR department is currently looking into issues of re-designations, promotions, those with additional qualifications and historical injustices. She also mentioned that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement ( CBA) proposal had already been forwarded to the Salaries Remuneration Commission (SRC) for advice on the way forward.
The County Director Subcounty Administration and Devolution Mr. Joel Muli in his presentation revealed that the county is working towards making work environment better for all the employees. He said, “Every financial year there are funds set aside for office maintenance and those in charge of facilities requiring maintenance should do formal requests in writing. ”
Nairobi Staff Branch Secretary Mr. Festus Ngari said that staff wellbeing was a priority item for both sets of Unions and was key for success. “Undertaking process of continuous sensitization of employees will be put in top gear in the coming financial year. Employees are the most important asset in any organization and must be proper taken care of.”
Mr. Ngari appreciated the County Management for collaborating with the Union to work towards making workers more productive and healthier in terms of risks that occur at the workplace. Which if not taken care of would affect service delivery to Nairobi residents.
The union also emphasized on the need to have more employees recruited to replace those retiring and those who have exited the service through natural causes.
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