Health workers threaten fresh protests, service withdrawal over unpaid allowances after government fails to fulfil agreement three months later
HEALTH workers have warned that they could withdraw their services if the government fails to resolve outstanding disputes over health-specific allowances and the recently concluded sector job evaluation. The warning was issued by the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA), the Health Apex Team and other health worker representatives, who accused government of failing to honour agreements […] The post Health workers threaten fresh protests, service withdrawal over unpaid allowances after government fails to fulfil agreement three months later appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
Black News 
HEALTH workers have warned that they could withdraw their services if the government fails to resolve outstanding disputes over health-specific allowances and the recently concluded sector job evaluation.
The warning was issued by the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA), the Health Apex Team and other health worker representatives, who accused government of failing to honour agreements reached in May through the Health Bipartite Negotiating Forum.
According to ZINA president Enock Dongo, health workers submitted proposals for revised allowances after government agreed in May that the payments could be reviewed for implementation from June.
However, nearly three months later, no substantive response or implementation has been made.
The allowances cover night duty, on-call and standby duties, nurse managers, post-basic qualifications, mental health, special health duties and uniforms.
Dongo said continued failure to resolve the disputes could force health workers to consider collective action, including withdrawal of services.
“ZINA remains committed to dialogue and constructive engagement, but stresses that dialogue must produce results, promises must be honoured and agreements must be respected.
“Government is urged to act immediately to prevent further deterioration in health worker morale and service delivery.
“Should the outstanding issues remain unresolved, health workers may be left with no option but to consider further collective action, including withdrawal of services, in pursuit of a resolution.
“ZINA therefore urges Government to act now in the interests of health workers and, most importantly, the people of Zimbabwe,” Dongo said.
The last salary review was conducted in 2022 and nurses are raising concerns that rising living costs have since eroded the value of the payments, worsening morale among nurses, doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other health professionals.
In April this year, the health workers staged a series of protests across the country over poor working conditions, remuneration and other grievances, piling pressure on the government to address concerns in the health sector.
The post Health workers threaten fresh protests, service withdrawal over unpaid allowances after government fails to fulfil agreement three months later appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
