No new offer from Govt, we are staying put says Health Workers
By Gracious Nyathi
Health workers representatives have told the nurses who are on industrial action, that the strike will continue as they have not received new offers from the government.
Nurses and other health workers embarked on a strike demanding better wages on Monday 20th of June 2022.
The strike has brought things to a standstill at government hospitals across the country, putting the lives of many citizens at risk.
Health workers rejected an initial offer of a 100% salary increase dangled by the employer, arguing that it was below inflation levels.
They also argued that the salary was in local currency which continued to lose value daily on both the official and the black market.
Health workers want to be paid in US dollars.
Addressing the striking health workers, Dr Tapiwanashe Kusotera from the Health Apex, said the strike is continuing until there is an improved offer.
‘’There is no new offer, the government has not offered us anything. Let us hang in there and keep fighting,’’ said the doctor.
Speaking on the issue Zimbabwe Nurses Association secretary-general Enock Dongo said nurses were paid the equivalent of US$50 as a monthly salary.
‘’Nurses got only ZWL$20,000 last week as salaries. This is around US$50 at the official auction rate and only US$30 at the black market” said Dongo.
Zimbabwe is currently facing a very difficult economic patch that dates to 2009 when the country adopted the multi-currency system.
A raft of policies and measures that have been introduced by the government have also failed to stimulate the economy which other economists say is on a free fall.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube is however on record arguing that things are moving according to plans and that things will change for the good. Zimbabwe intends to achieve middle-income economic status by 2030.
