Joseph Chirume
Hundreds of healthcare workers in Zimbabwe, including doctors and nurses, embarked on an indefinite strike on Monday over poor pay.
The crippling strike could bring to its knees the country’s already ailing health system.
Striking healthcare workers are being represented by the Zimbabwe Health Apex Council which wants the government to open negotiations concerning their working conditions.
They are demanding a cost of living adjustment proportionate with the hyperinflation plaguing the country.
They also want a review of health specific allowances, a performance advancement and the resumption of payments of donor-funded retention allowances as well as a review of the Covid-19 risk allowances.
The Health Service Board, representing the government of Zimbabwe, had responded on 18 June 2022 that the review of the health sector specific allowances was being looked into.
The response said, “Please be advised that the Treasury has allocated resources in the 2022 budget to clear all outstanding performance advancements. You’re advised to ensure that all your members are up to date with their performance appraisal processes.”
The Health Apex Panel Council team leader, Dr Tapiwanashe Kusotera, then wrote to the Health Service Board on 19 June informing the board of their intention to strike starting on Monday.
In the letter, Dr Kusotera said: “It is unfortunate that it has taken more than 14 months to convene a Health Services Bipartite Negotiating Panel meeting; even now the meeting is yet to be convened.
“The board’s response to the issues raised by the workers is best described as ‘gaslighting’ and reveals the board’s contempt for the workers’ plight.
“As there has been no progress on the issues raised by the workers, I wish to advise that the planned withdrawal of services will proceed as previously communicated.”
The strike has come barely a week after the government undertook to increase salaries of civil servants by 100%, a proposal that was swiftly rebuffed.
The proposals would have meant the lowest-earning government worker would earn R1,600 a month.
Workers said they wanted the bulk of their salaries in US dollars and only a small portion in the Zimbabwean dollar.
In April 2018, 16,000 striking nurses were fired by Health and Childcare Minister Constantino Chiwenga, who is a retired army general.
