Opinion / Columnist
FULL TEXT: ZCTU blasts General Chiwenga's move
06 Oct 2020 at 16:56hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has learnt with dismay moves by the government to enlist into the army all graduating junior doctors before they could be employed by the government.
Reports indicated that a letter dated September 28, 2020, was written Dy the Health Services Board addressed to the Secretary of Health revealing that the Finance Ministry had approved the hiring of junior doctors only on the condition that some of them are appointed under the Defence Forces Service Commission.
These reports indicate that the 230 medical students that are going to be enlisted had passed their final examinations and were due to be sent to pubic hospitals as Junior Resident Medical officers (JRMOs) for three years of on-the-job-training.
There is no doubt that this is militarization of the medical field and a ploy by the government to intimidate the doctors who, over the years, have been flaking industrial action demanding better pay and improved conditions of services.
The ZCTU is worried by the militarization of the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare which saw the President appointing his deputy and former soldier, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, the Health Minister.The President also appointed Jasper
Chimedza, the ministry's permanent secretary. Chimedza is Air Force of Zimbabwe Air Commodore.
What this entails is that it would not be easy for health personnel to demand a living wage under the watchful eye of the military men at the helm of the ministry.
We also note with great concern that over the years a number of institutions have been placed under the administration of former military men in order to intimidate the populace and workers from demanding their rights. The ZCTU deplores these moves
with the contempt they deserve.
Reports indicated that a letter dated September 28, 2020, was written Dy the Health Services Board addressed to the Secretary of Health revealing that the Finance Ministry had approved the hiring of junior doctors only on the condition that some of them are appointed under the Defence Forces Service Commission.
These reports indicate that the 230 medical students that are going to be enlisted had passed their final examinations and were due to be sent to pubic hospitals as Junior Resident Medical officers (JRMOs) for three years of on-the-job-training.
There is no doubt that this is militarization of the medical field and a ploy by the government to intimidate the doctors who, over the years, have been flaking industrial action demanding better pay and improved conditions of services.
The ZCTU is worried by the militarization of the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare which saw the President appointing his deputy and former soldier, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, the Health Minister.The President also appointed Jasper
Chimedza, the ministry's permanent secretary. Chimedza is Air Force of Zimbabwe Air Commodore.
What this entails is that it would not be easy for health personnel to demand a living wage under the watchful eye of the military men at the helm of the ministry.
We also note with great concern that over the years a number of institutions have been placed under the administration of former military men in order to intimidate the populace and workers from demanding their rights. The ZCTU deplores these moves
with the contempt they deserve.
Source - ZCTU
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