By Wilson Ssingo
National Organising Secretary, Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS)
This is truly disappointing.
The suspension by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) of the implementation of the reviewed remuneration and benefits for county government employees is deeply disappointing to workers who have been waiting for the outcome of the Fourth Remuneration and Benefits Review Cycle.
As National Organising Secretary of the Union of Kenya Civil Servants, I acknowledge the constitutional requirement for fiscal responsibility and sustainable management of public resources. But fiscal sustainability cannot be pursued at the expense of equity, fairness and the dignity of workers.
My position has always been clear:
A public servant is a public servant, whether serving at the National or County level.
It is therefore difficult for county workers to reconcile the continued progression of remuneration reviews at the National level with the suspension of the reviewed structures applicable to County governments.
County workers have continued to report to work, deliver essential public services and serve Kenyans under the same difficult economic circumstances facing every other public servant.
Their bills do not become smaller because they are employed by a County government.
Their responsibilities do not become lighter.
Their contribution to public service does not become less valuable.
County workers have continued to do their part in serving the people, and they should not be made to feel that their work or welfare matters less simply because they serve at the devolved level of government.
I understand the financial pressures facing County governments. I also recognise the constitutional responsibility to manage public resources prudently.
But fiscal constraints cannot become a permanent reason for postponing legitimate remuneration expectations for county workers.
Workers cannot indefinitely be asked to carry the burden of financial constraints while decisions affecting their livelihoods are made without meaningful participation.
I therefore call upon the SRC, the Council of Governors, the National Treasury, the Commission on Revenue Allocation and all relevant stakeholders to urgently return to the negotiating table and provide a clear, credible and time-bound pathway for implementation.
There must also be meaningful participation of workers and their representatives in these engagements.
Decisions affecting workers’ livelihoods must not simply be communicated to them after the fact. Those who represent workers must have a meaningful opportunity to participate in discussions that directly affect their remuneration, welfare and working conditions.
I will not remain silent when our comrades and members face unequal treatment.
I stand with County workers.
They deserve answers.
They deserve fairness.
They deserve representation — and at UKCS, we will provide it.
WE SERVE THE NATION.
