The new NHIF charges that saw the rates for self-employed people increased from Sh160 to Sh500 and similar changes on employed people should be halted by the government for more consultations from all stakeholders, Masaba North Knut officials have said.
Speaking on Monday at Iranya primary school during an academic function, the officials led, by the assistant secretary general James Oteki, urged their national counterparts to call a nationwide strike of all workers in a bid to compel the government to revoke the rates.
They accused the national government of acting in bad faith by imposing the rates without consulting stakeholders.
“I really don’t see the reason why we should continue engaging the government in court. It has shown its unwillingness to obey the court and you saw that when the court recently ruled in favor of teachers. Stakeholders were not invited to the table and that is why as Masaba teachers we oppose the rates,” he said.
According to the officials, the issue could only be addressed if all workers down their tools and demand for dialogue since they were not ready to pay the new rates that were effected in early April.
“Our leaders should by now know the intention of this government. We should go to the streets to demand for our rights. Even the poor peasant farmers cannot manage to pay the Sh500 per month,” added Mr Charles Bosire, a member.
They, however, hinted that they would invite structured dialogue but insisted the need to go to streets to let the government know how they were ‘angered’ by the new rates.