Nurses' torn undergarments spark debate over civil servants' salaries

The government says nurses who staged protests at major public hospitals have now returned to work, as authorities move to address their grievances over low pay and working conditions.

The demonstrations, which took place at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, saw scores of nurses down tools demanding salary increases, as well as improved transport and housing allowances.

Some protesters carried placards highlighting their financial struggles, with a few claiming they could no longer afford basic necessities, including undergarments - an issue that quickly drew public attention.

In Parliament, Blessing Makamure questioned government on its response to the unrest, asking what measures were being taken to ensure that affected workers return to duty.

"We saw nurses in government institutions demonstrating that they are no longer able to buy themselves undergarments or even go to work," Makamure said.

Responding in the National Assembly, Anxious Masuka - who is currently Acting Minister of Health and Child Care - confirmed that the nurses had resumed duty, though he described the demonstrations as unlawful.

"The nurses at Sally Mugabe Hospital took advantage to unlawfully demonstrate their unhappiness by going on strike," Masuka said. "What we saw and what was written were issues we understand - low salaries, transport costs, and working days - but I did not see anything about undergarments."

Masuka noted that nurses at Chitungwiza Central Hospital and Bindura Hospital also staged brief demonstrations earlier this week, lasting between 30 minutes and a few hours before returning to their workstations.

He commended the healthcare workers for going back to work, stressing the importance of maintaining essential services.

"All the nurses who demonstrated last week and this week have since returned to their posts. We appreciate their commitment to saving lives," he said, adding that grievances should be raised while duties continue.

The minister also revealed that civil servants are set to receive a "living wage adjustment" between Wednesday and Thursday, which he described as adequate to address current concerns.

The protests highlight growing pressure on public sector wages amid rising living costs, even as government insists that steps are being taken to stabilise incomes and maintain essential services.