Busia County, Environmental Health Workers Seal Deal to Strengthen Labour Relations
By Emmanuel Jumaah
As part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the county government and its employees, the Busia County Government has signed a Recognition Agreement with the Kenya Environmental Health and Public Health Practitioners Union (KEHPHPU).
The agreement establishes a formal framework for engagement between the county administration and environmental health practitioners, allowing workers to raise grievances, participate in county planning, and discuss matters affecting their welfare and working conditions.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Busia Deputy Governor and County Executive Committee Member for Health **Arthur Papa Odera** said the agreement will strengthen dialogue between the county government and health workers while providing a structured platform for addressing workplace concerns.
"This Recognition Agreement provides our environmental health practitioners with a formal platform to engage with the county government on matters affecting their welfare and working conditions. It will also enable them to raise their concerns, participate in county planning, and have structured discussions with the administration. We believe that through dialogue and proper engagement, we can strengthen the relationship between the county government and our health workers.” ~ DG Arthur Oder
Odera said the county government has made significant progress in improving relations with various workers’ unions over the past three to four years.
He noted that while the county has a role to play in addressing workers’ concerns, some of the issues contributing to the ongoing health workers’ strike are being handled at the national level between the Council of Governors and the Ministry of Health.
Odera said the county government will continue engaging health workers in a bid to reach an agreement that will facilitate their return to work and ensure uninterrupted delivery of health services to residents.
"We have worked very hard over the last three to four years to improve our relationship with workers and their unions, and we have seen significant progress in employee relations. Some of the issues contributing to the current health workers’ strike, however, are matters that require engagement at the national level between the Council of Governors and the Ministry of Health. As a county, we will continue engaging our health workers and exploring ways of reaching an agreement that will allow them to return to work and ensure that residents continue receiving essential health services.” ~ DG Arthur Odera
Meanwhile, KEHPHPU Secretary-General and National Executive Director Brown Ashira commended the Busia County Government for recognizing the union, saying the agreement will provide a structured platform for dialogue and addressing issues affecting environmental health practitioners.
"We appreciate the Busia County Government for recognizing KEHPHPU and signing this agreement. This is an important step towards strengthening the relationship between the union and the county administration. It gives our members a structured platform to raise their concerns and participate in discussions on matters affecting their welfare and working environment. We look forward to working closely with the county government through dialogue and cooperation.” ~ SG Brown Ashira
The agreement is expected to enhance cooperation between the county government and environmental health practitioners while promoting harmonious labour relations and improved service delivery across Busia County.
