Zimbabwe nurses strike over salaries as government calls for talks
Health workers disrupted services at major hospitals after receiving a $30 monthly increase instead of the $600 they say officials promised.
Zimbabwe nurses strike over salaries as government calls for talks
Health workers disrupted services at major hospitals after receiving a $30 monthly increase instead of the $600 they say officials promised.
Nurses in Zimbabwe withdrew their labour on Monday following what they described as an inadequate salary increase, leaving patients stranded at major public hospitals across the country12.
At Sally Mugabe Hospital in Harare, nurses staged demonstrations before leaving, while at Parirenyatwa Hospital some remained on the premises but avoided wards1. Police were called to disperse protesting nurses at United Bulawayo Hospitals, according to the Zimbabwe Nurses Association1.
The industrial action follows the government's announcement of a $30 salary increment for April, paid in local currency1. The Zimbabwe Nurses Association said the increase fell far short of the approximately $600 per month nurses expected after recent negotiations1. The association said authorities had promised to raise salaries to about $600 during engagements before the initially scheduled 15 April strike date1.
Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora acknowledged the grievances and said an urgent meeting had been convened between the Health Apex Panel and the Health Services Commission to address the concerns2. He called on nurses to suspend the strike to allow for dialogue2. The government recognised the importance of the concerns and remained committed to engagement through appropriate channels, Mombeshora said2.
The Zimbabwe Nurses Association said the latest salary review "was only done as a token and not seriously meant to address the plight of nurses" and that members had resolved to proceed with a nationwide shutdown for at least two more days1.
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe issued a statement backing the nurses and criticising what it called inadequate salary increases that did not cover basic costs such as transport3. The union described the situation as "exploitation masked as governance" and called for an immediate salary review and improved working conditions3.