Civil servants within West Pokot County have been urged to keep their records up-to-date so that they can help the government enhance their welfare in the course of their service delivery.
County Director Benjamin Sang regretted that some employees fail to update their current status and information until they are due for retirement, forgetting that there are some processes that arise when someone is still actively in service.
Speaking during the Insurance Benefits sensitisation and monitoring forum at Mtelo Hall in Kapenguria, Sang said there are work-related challenges that the government has mechanisms of addressing, such as compensation for employees that get accidents in the course of their duties.
“The government is very keen on ensuring the welfare and safety of its employees, and that is why we have health and accident covers. Some employees get into work-related accidents, but they don’t report the incidents so that they can be compensated,” posed the HR Director.
He urged the civil servants to keep in touch with their human resources department to get informed about the emerging government plans and arrangements.
“As civil servants we need to have a checklist of all that is required so that it becomes easier when making any claims. Some civil servants fail to update their next-of-kin and dependants, making it tricky in case of any claims regarding death and last expenses,” noted Sang.
At the same time West Pokot Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Samuel Kiarie called on those in charge of government sections and departments to ensure a conducive work environment to help avoid occupational accidents and diseases.
He called on the participants drawn from various national government departments to cascade the information about the Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA), Group Personal Accident (GPA), and the Last Expense Claims that civil servants are entitled to.
It was noted in the training that some civil servants complained of missing out on the benefits due to lack of sufficient information regarding their insurance covers provided by their employer.
The participants called on the Laser Insurance Brokers that provide the stated covers to publicise the benefits entitled to their clients so that they can adhere to the requirements expected.
Some claimants revealed that they had waited for a long time to receive their dues, hence discouraging other people from pursuing their claims despite suffering from work-related injuries.
Civil servants are entitled to claims after death and injury, and last expense covers different amounts.
By Richard Muhambe
