Resume work or face the sack, KPA tells dock workers

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) managing director Gichiri Ndua (centre) with other top managers at the KPA yard where workers are on strike. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By REUTERS and OUMA WANZALA

In Summary

• The workers are disputing higher deductions for the government's national health insurance scheme.
• The new NHIF rates that were effected in April.
• On Tuesday, a meeting between the union leaders and acting labour Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo failed to avert the protests.

The Kenya Ports Authority said on Thursday that striking workers at the Mombasa port should resume work by Friday morning or lose their jobs, and that normal activities at East Africa's biggest port will resume July 6.

The workers are disputing higher deductions for the government's national health insurance scheme.

"Any employee who will not report or discharge his or her duties will be deemed to have forfeited their appointment," the authority said in a notice to workers announcing the deadline.

READ: Ferry, port workers strike over new NHIF rates

Demos planned

Meanwhile, police and members of the Trade Union Congress of Kenya (TUC-K) were Thursday morning headed for a clash after law enforcers banned demonstrations against the new NHIF rates that took effect in April.

Trade Union Congress of Kenya (TUC-K) chairman Tom Odege said union officials would hold talks with the police to be allowed to hold the protests.

He, however, said demonstrations had kicked off in some parts of the country and expressed confidence that they would be successful.

Mr Odege said the demonstrators were expected to march to the Office of the President on Harambee Avenue to air their grievances.

On Tuesday, a meeting between the union leaders and acting labour Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo failed to avert the protests