Nurses at public health institutions have announced that they are partially withdrawing their services for one week as the government failed to address their grievances.
Among other measures, nurses are cutting their working hours to two days per week, pending action on their grievances by their employer. The development came after the expiry of the 14-day ultimatum jointly communicated by various associations in the health sector a fortnight ago.
The Health Apex Council wrote a note to all members of associations in public health establishments gave a seven-day waiting period for action threatening to resort to a full-scale industrial action if the employer does not positively respond. The letter reads:
It was noted in the aforementioned meeting that whilst there had been some attempts to address minor grievances, the most important grievances relating to remuneration of health workers vis-a-vis the current economic climate have not been addressed.
In light of the above, the meeting resolved to partially withdraw services for one week, concurrently reiterate the need for the HSB (Health Services Board)) to resolve all grievances.
Should the remaining grievances remain unresolved by close of day, June 23; all health workers will completely withdraw their labour from June 24.
Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association (ZHDA) secretary -general Mthabisi Bhebhe, however, said that despite the notice, his association was waiting for a response from their employer.
Some insiders also believe that the Apex Council should seek an audience with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and personally plead with him.
More: News Day