Economic system NHIF workers get one-year grace interval to reapply for jobs
The Nationwide Hospital Insurance coverage Fund constructing in Nairobi. FILE PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NMG
By SAMWEL OWINO
Extra by this Creator
Staff of the Nationwide Well being Insurance coverage Fund (NHIF) have a one-year transition window earlier than reapplying for jobs when the 57-year-old State company is break up into three outfits as a part of deliberate reforms.
The Social Well being Insurance coverage Invoice 2023, which seeks to disband NHIF and create a Social Well being Authority to manage three funds, says within the transitional clauses that the Authority will take over all NHIF belongings however solely take in its staff primarily based on benefit.
Learn: NHIF staff to reapply for jobs in new company
The NHIF staff keen to serve underneath the Social Well being Authority that can be in control of the first healthcare, healthcare, and emergency, power, and significant sickness funds should reapply.
Nationwide Meeting Majority Chief Kimani Ichung’wah mentioned the NHIF workers will solely serve for a transition interval of 1 12 months earlier than making use of for jobs underneath the brand new outfit, others can be re-deployed and the remaining allowed to retire voluntarily.
“I do know there are fears on the subject of adjustments. Folks have been fearful together with the staffers of NHIF that with the enactment of this Invoice, they lose their jobs, I need to guarantee our hard-working workers at NHIF, as long as you haven’t engaged in corruption, [you are a] diligent employee, you shall not lose your job. No Kenyan will lose their job on account of a Invoice being enacted,” Mr Ichung’wah mentioned when he contributed to the talk on the Social Well being Insurance coverage Invoice 2023 in Parliament.
“The rationale you might be requested to re-apply is in order that the brand new organisation will get the perfect out of NHIF others may be re-deployed,” he added
Endebes MP Robert Pukose who can also be the chairman of the Well being committee, mentioned they’ve agreed with the board to evaluate the NHIF staff and solely retain these with the correct abilities.
“If there’s a mismatch, as an example, in case you are a geologist, what are you doing at NHIF? You ought to be taken to the geology division within the Ministry of Public Works to supply your providers there, you possibly can’t be at NHIF,” he mentioned.
“We’ve got individuals in NHIF who’ve been concerned in corruption actions, particularly in areas of procurement. Why ought to they nonetheless be there? We need to make sure that this new NHIF can provide providers,” he added.
Kilifi North MP Owen Baya mentioned there was numerous lobbying by the present NHIF workers who’re in search of to be retained within the new physique.
Nevertheless, Mr Baya defined that it’s going to not make any sense if the federal government is reforming NHIF however strikes with the whole lot, together with the workers to the brand new outfit.
“How do you reform an organisation by taking over the whole lot that was on the opposite facet; altering the title, and saying you could have reformed? That is the time to separate chaff from the wheat,” Mr Baya mentioned.
Learn: President Ruto plans obligatory 2.75pc NHIF deductions
“These which were the unhealthy eggs at NHIF can’t be a part of the brand new organisation however I need to see equity in order that people who have completed properly proceed to do properly within the new organisation whereas people who haven’t completed properly to pave the way in which for others,” he added.
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