Hundreds of Embu County Workers continued to hold demonstrations along the streets of Embu Town for the third day running as the standoff over poor working conditions and unfulfilled pledges with their employer thickened.
The workers from various departments at the county marched along the busy streets, chanting slogans protesting over a wide range of grievances, including poor remuneration, delayed salary payments, stagnation and non-remittance of statutory deductions that have lingered for years.
Irate staff drawn from the departments of health, finance, education, administration and public works, vowed to stay away from work until all their grievances are addressed.
They pointed an accusing finger at the employer, whom they accused of duping them by promising to address their welfare issues at the start of the current financial year.
Led by their respective union leaders, the workers said it had become untenable to continue rendering services yet their welfare issues continue to be ignored.
“Casuals are earning below minimum wage and there are also those on contract earning a quarter of what their colleagues on permanent and pensionable terms are earning,” said Jacinta Rwamba who is Kenya Union of Clinical Workers, Embu Branch, Treasurer.
She added that third party deductions including loans and pensions have not been remitted for months putting them in financial limbo where some are on the verge of having their property attached by lenders.
Rwamba lamented that they were promised that the grievances would be addressed by the start of the financial year in July, but added nothing had been done five months down the line.
“We feel cheated and that is why we are saying enough is enough,” she declared, while demanding the county to keep it’s part of the bargain.
County Health Workers Union Chair, Aloysius Njoka, blamed departmental finance heads for failing to address their grievances saying it amounted to oppression.
He called on Governor Cecily Mbarire to crack the whip on officers who were sleeping on their job as residents continued to suffer for lack of services because of the industrial action that they said could have been averted with proper focus and commitment.
Meanwhile, the County Government has gone to court seeking to declare the strike illegal.
Consequently, union leaders have been summoned to appear before court on Thursday to demonstrate if due process was followed before engaging in the strike.
The workers have maintained that they had given prior notice to the County Government and so their strike was protected.
By Samuel Waititu
