Zimbabwe nurses threaten another strike

Zimbabwe could be heading for another nurses’ strike after health workers accused the Government of failing to honour agreements on sector-specific allowances and the appeals process arising from a controversial job evaluation exercise.

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA), together with the Health Apex Team and other health worker representatives, says prolonged delays have intensified frustration within the health sector and could force workers to consider withdrawing their services.

In a statement issued on August 13, ZINA said the Government and health worker representatives reached an agreement in May through the Health Bipartite Negotiating Forum to review health-specific allowances, with revised payments potentially taking effect from June.

Health worker representatives subsequently submitted their proposals, while the Health Services Commission referred the matter to the Ministry of Finance.

However, nearly three months later, ZINA says there has been no substantive response or implementation.

The allowances, which were last reviewed in 2022, cover night duty, on-call and standby duties, nurse managers, post-basic qualifications, mental health, special health duties and uniforms.

ZINA said the rising cost of living had significantly eroded the value of the allowances, leaving health professionals inadequately compensated for demanding working conditions that include night shifts, emergency responses and other unsocial working hours.

ZINA president and Health Apex Team leader Enock Dongo warned that health workers were becoming increasingly frustrated.

“Dialogue must produce results, promises must be honoured and agreements must be respected,” Dongo said.

He urged the Government to act urgently to prevent further deterioration in health worker morale and service delivery.