Salary 'insult' forces strike

Zimbabwean nurses have issued a fresh strike notice after receiving salary increments of between US$30 and US$40, far below what they say was promised by the government during recent negotiations.

The industrial action is set to run from April 20 to 22, 2026, following months of engagements between health workers and authorities over low pay and deteriorating working conditions.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association president Enock Dongo said the latest salary adjustments were a betrayal of commitments made by the government.

According to a notice dated April 14, nurses had been assured that meaningful salary reviews would be reflected in the April 2026 pay cycle after discussions involving the Health Apex Council.

However, the increments implemented have been widely dismissed by nurses as insignificant.

"It has become clear that the increases that were implemented for the April 2026 salaries do not meet the undertaking given by the employer nor the expectations of the employees," the notice read.

"The salaries are so inconsequential to such an extent that they remain a mere token that cannot be taken seriously."

In an interview, Dongo said nurses had anticipated a substantial increase of between US$550 and US$600, in line with figures discussed during negotiations.

"To our surprise, what they had promised us on the last engagement is not what we got. Our nurses only got US$30 to US$40," he said.

Dongo urged nurses to participate in the planned strike, warning that frustration within the sector had reached breaking point.

Addressing workers at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, he highlighted a growing staffing crisis, estimating a current shortfall of more than 5,000 nurses, which could rise to 10,000 as more leave the profession or emigrate.

"We are saying to the government, please pay these nurses their money. They have been patriotic and have remained in the country when they could have left," he said.

The dispute comes against the backdrop of a worsening cost-of-living crisis, with many nurses struggling to afford basic necessities such as rent, transport, food and school fees.

Low wages have also fuelled a steady exodus of healthcare workers seeking better opportunities abroad, further straining Zimbabwe's already fragile health system.

With tensions escalating, the planned strike is expected to disrupt services in public health institutions, unless urgent intervention resolves the standoff.