Health workers have been awarded 50 percent of their
pensionable salaries as a cushioning allowance starting this month following
the erosion of incomes by a wave of price increases.
The allowance will be paid across the board to every worker
in the health sector and will be 50 percent of basic salary, transport and
housing allowances among others.
Making the announcement during a tour of Nyamhunga Clinic
here yesterday, Health Services Board acting chairperson Professor Auxillia
Chideme-Munodawafa said representatives had agreed with Government on an
allowance while negotiations continue.
“Through a meeting which started this (yesterday) morning,
Government is going to pay health workers 50 percent of the pensionable amount
by the end of July,” she said.
“I would say 50 percent of pensionable salary is a very
reasonable gesture that has been offered. Whenever you negotiate, you expect
the highest, but Government will always give you what they can afford.”
Prof Chideme-Munodawafa said economic challenges affecting
the country required workers to be insulated through such interventions while
long term solutions were being worked
out.
“As the Health Services Board, our mandate is to address
conditions of service for our healthcare workers and of late with challenges
that have affected all sectors, we realised that our healthcare workers needed
cushioning.
“The measures are aimed at addressing the challenges they
are having after the erosion of their buying power and salaries,” said Prof
Chideme-Munodawafa.
She said the Government was listening to concerns of the
health sector and taking steps to address them.
Presenting challenges faced in Kariba District, health
workers said they needed a heat allowance owing to the extremely high
temperatures found in the Zambezi Valley.
“As nurses and staff here in Kariba, we request for heat
allowance because temperatures can be so high that the body sometimes feels
like it can no longer go on.
“The allowance will be an incentive for people working in
the area,” said one nurse at Kariba District Hospital.
Temperatures in Kariba and the Zambezi Valley can go as
high as 42 degrees Celsius leading to death of wildlife.
Prof Chideme-Munodawafa said the board had taken note of
their plea and would take it up with the relevant authorities for consideration
and solutions.
Members of the HSB
also toured Kariba District Hospital. The delegation is expected to visit
Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital today. Herald
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