A Kenyan labour court has given the country’s doctors’ union five days to call off its on-going strike by medics in the public health sector.
The almost two-month-old strike by more than 5 000 doctors has affected all public healthcare facilities in the country, putting at risk the lives of majority of the country’s poor who cannot afford private healthcare.
The striking doctors are seeking better pay, working conditions and equipment.
Labour Court Judge Hellen Wasilwa has suspended a month long jail sentence handed down on the union officials two weeks ago for failing to call off the strike.
“So I suspend this sentence further, the doctors will not be going to jail today (Thursday), they have five more days and these five days is not for negotiations, it is for calling off the strike,” said Labour Court Judge Hellen Wasilwa.
– By SABC
