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.

Dispute over job evaluation

The standoff also involves the recently completed health sector job evaluation conducted by the Health Services Commission.

ZINA said health worker representatives rejected the outcome, arguing that employees had not been adequately consulted and that the methodology failed to fully recognise the demands associated with healthcare professions.

These include clinical responsibility, professional accountability, emergency response, specialist qualifications, heavy workloads and unsocial working hours.

The association is particularly concerned about the process for appealing the job evaluation results.

According to ZINA, an agreement reached in May provided for a 4-4 appeals committee comprising four Government representatives and four worker representatives to consider concerns raised by health workers.

The association, however, said it was opposed to reports that the appeals process was instead being handled through the Public Service Commission.

ZINA argues that the mechanism agreed to by the parties cannot be unilaterally changed.

Dongo said health workers remained committed to dialogue and constructive engagement but warned that unresolved grievances could result in further industrial action.

"Should the outstanding issues remain unresolved, health workers may be left with no option but to consider further collective action, including withdrawal of services," he said.

ZINA is demanding the urgent implementation of revised health-specific allowances, a clear Government response to proposals already submitted and the immediate establishment of the agreed appeals committee.

The association also called for meaningful engagement between Government and health worker representatives, warning that continued delays could further undermine morale and ultimately affect patient care.

The latest dispute comes as Zimbabwe's public health system continues to operate under pressure from staff shortages, economic challenges and increasing demands on frontline health workers.

A renewed withdrawal of services by nurses and other health professionals could place additional strain on hospitals and clinics, particularly if the outstanding issues remain unresolved.