Govt urged to speed up health workers’ back pay

 THE Community Health Workers Association has called on the government to fast-track the 2006 back pay to its members.  

General secretary James Amuna said the Health, Finance and Treasury departments must pay the third 

phase for the retrenched, deceased and casual community health workers (CHW) throughout the country. 

“Some of the retrenched CHWs have been waiting for this payment after the signing of the 2007 memorandum of agreement and some have passed away,” he said in a statement on Monday.

“It is very sad to see and hear former workers pass away silently without proper recognition for the services they provided to the people of this country.”

Amuna said the health workers played a major role in the developing the nation by providing basic health services in the communities. 

“The departments should quickly implement the back payments of 2006 so that the remaining CHWs can receive their dues.

“And for those who have passed away, their next of kins can benefit from it.

“The submission of the back payments was done some five to six years ago but we do not know what is holding up the submission for the third phase.”

Amuna said the reviewed submission on the terms and conditions of employment was now with the health department.

“If the new agreement is signed then the whole process of the payments will be delayed further more.”