
This came after the expiry of the 14-day ultimatum jointly
communicated by various associations in the health sector a fortnight ago.
In a note to all members of associations in public health
establishments, the Health Apex Council gave a seven-day waiting period for
action, failure which they would embark on a full-scale industrial action.
“It was noted in the aforementioned meeting that whilst
there had been some attempts to address minor grievances, the most important
grievances relating to remuneration of health workers vis-a-vis the current
economic climate have not been addressed.
“In light of the above, the meeting resolved to partially
withdraw services for one week, concurrently reiterate the need for the HSB
(Health Services Board)) to resolve all grievances,” the letter said.
The nurses said all health workers will attend work for
only two days between June 17 and 23.
“Should the remaining grievances remain unresolved by close
of day, June 23; all health workers will completely withdraw their labour from
June 24.”
However, despite the notice, Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’
Association (ZHDA) secretary -general Mthabisi Bhebhe said his association was
waiting for a response from their employer.
“We are having solidarity meetings at our respective work
stations to map the way forward; the position by the Apex Council was that all
associations should down tools, but we are waiting for a response to our calls
before we decide on a course of action,” he said.
A fortnight ago, the Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association said a
meeting held on June 6 resolved that workers in the health sector would go on
strike within two weeks to force the government to review their salaries.
The two-week ultimatum has since lapsed and the nurses have
become the first body of health workers to embark on the agreed industrial
action.
In a related matter, the much-hyped urgent caucus meeting
by the Apex Council yesterday to discuss workers’ plight in the face of
inflation and map a way forward failed to produce any substantive resolutions,
forcing leaders to reconvene on Friday.
The meeting resulted in an impasse with others pushing for
an immediate industrial action claiming that the government has failed to
consider their plight.
Reports of disunity among the Apex Council leaders were
abound, leading to yesterday’s meeting being adjourned to pave way for further
research on a possible way forward.
According to insiders, some were of the view that they
should seek audience with President Emmerson Mnangagwa and personally plead
with him.
“Apex Council met today, but are still to follow up on a
number of issues which will be concluded on Friday,” Thomas Muzondo, who was
chairing the meeting said.
“We still want to follow up on a few things and we will
reconvene again on Friday. Today was the workers’ side only and there are yet
to be a number of researches that we need to do in the next few days and come
up with an agreed position.”
In its previous position paper to government, Apex Council
leadership complained that their members are fast losing hope and calling them
toothless for failing to ensure government acts on their demands.
Yesterday’s inconclusive meeting might have left many
disappointed, but the leaders insisted they need to be thorough before agreeing
on the way forward.
However, some teachers said they are from today embarking
on a job action. Newsday
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