Zimbabwe nurses protest absurd salary review

Striking nurses have called on authorities to investigate "naughty" officials accused of implementing a disputed salary adjustment, as a nationwide job action disrupts health services across Zimbabwe.

The industrial action, led by the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (Zina), began yesterday and is set to run from April 20 to 22, following growing frustration over low salaries and deteriorating working conditions.

Hospitals across the country have been affected, with services at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital and United Bulawayo Hospitals among those disrupted as nurses withdrew their labour.

Health workers say the latest salary payments were based on a government review they had rejected, leaving many earning less than before.

In an interview, Zina president Enock Dongo said nurses were shocked by the unexpected adjustments.

"The government proposed a review for all civil servants, which we all rejected, but someone in the government offices became naughty and decided to use the new salaries," he said.

"Some of our members received reduced salaries, while others got amounts far below what they used to receive before the latest payments."

Nurses say repeated engagements with authorities have failed to yield meaningful results, forcing them to escalate their grievances through industrial action.

"We can no longer afford even basic transport to come to work. Our salaries have been eroded to nothing," one nurse said.

Others highlighted the rising cost of living, noting that daily transport costs of around US$3 have become unsustainable, with some resorting to hitchhiking to report for duty.

"We have children to support, school fees to pay, as well as rent, water and electricity bills. Payday only brings stress and headache," said another nurse during demonstrations in Bulawayo.

Government, through the Ministry of Health and Child Care Zimbabwe, has urged the striking workers to suspend the job action to allow for dialogue.

Health minister Douglas Mombeshora acknowledged the concerns raised and said engagements were underway.

"The Ministry of Health and Child Care acknowledges receipt of the concerns raised by nurses' representatives… discussions have been convened between the health apex panel and the Health Services Commission," he said.

Mombeshora added that authorities were reviewing the issues in a structured manner, balancing the need to maintain critical health services with addressing workers' welfare.

"The ministry appeals to those who have withdrawn their services to suspend the industrial action and allow space for constructive dialogue in the best interests of patients and the nation," he said.

The strike underscores deepening tensions between health workers and the government, with nurses insisting that without meaningful salary adjustments and improved conditions, disruptions to healthcare delivery could persist.