Unions worldwide stand with Kenya's healthworkers preparing to strike

Public Services International (PSI) and the Africa Health Sector Unions Council (AHSUC) stand in solidarity with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) in their struggle to get the Kenyan Government to finally live up to agreements made to improve workplace conditions and fairer treatment.

The looming strike action takes place against a pattern of disregard for healthcare workers' rights and safety in Kenya and the continued failure of the government to stand by its agreements. PSI unions worldwide were outraged by the violent responses to previous healthcare workers' protests in Kenya, including attacks on union leaders. Such actions have no place in a democratic society that claims to value its healthcare professionals and we will be monitoring the situation to ensure such events do not occur again.

Our 30 million members across 163 countries are prepared to escalate this issue to their respective governments, embassies and international bodies. We will mobilize via diplomatic channels to ensure the Kenyan government honors its commitments to healthcare workers and upholds international labor standards.

The Government’s systematic failure to maintain proper working conditions, ensure fair treatment, and engage in meaningful dialogue with healthcare professionals represents a serious breach of trust. Mismanagement has created an untenable situation that compromises both worker safety and patient care. 

We call upon the Kenyan government to:

• Implement previously agreed-upon terms regarding working conditions, including those outlined in the previous Return To Work Formula

• Facilitate good faith negotiations with the unions

• Refrain from any repression or violence towards health workers taking legitimate industrial action 

PSI and our member unions will continue to follow this situation closely. We are prepared to take further international action if these legitimate demands are not met.