Atwoli tells Pusetu off on NHIF rates

Kenya: The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has dismissed the Public Service Trade Unions of Kenya (Pusetu) demands to renegotiate the new National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) rates.

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli said calls by Pusetu Chairman Tom Odege that the newly agreed upon NHIF rates be re-negotiated were misplaced, misguided, uncalled-for and irregular.

"All public servants in the country together with the members of the disciplined forces already enjoy a totally different scheme within the NHIF that has nothing to do with the recently negotiated one," said Mr Atwoli.

He said Cotu believes the opposition against the new rates was based on ignorance by individuals with no idea as to who is to benefit from the newly negotiated package between NHIF and his umbrella workers' union.

"This will solely involve Cotu affiliates and members. It is irregular for Pusetu to poke its nose where it has not been invited because when they were negotiating for their current scheme, we never got interested," he said in a statement sent to newsrooms.

Mr Odege last week threatened to move to court to block the implementation of the rates unless demands to have a re-negotiation are accepted, claiming the rates were not affordable to many.

During the negotiations, it was agreed the new rates between Cotu and NHIF will see workers contribute between Sh150 and Sh1,700 per month.

The rates would allow contributors to access outpatient services in various hospitals countrywide, among other benefits. Cotu also agreed to drop a case challenging the rates previously proposed by NHIF.