NURSES working at Harare City Council-run clinics have
embarked on a one-day working week starting yesterday, saying they could no
longer afford to go to work every day due to the high cost of living and
inaction by their employer.
The nurses also said they were yet to be paid their May and
June salaries as well as the 2018 bonuses. In a letter directed to the city health department, the
workers expressed their willingness to offer uninterrupted service as long as
they were able to provide for their families and their salaries reviewed.
“Since the beginning of this year, nurses have not been
able to exercise their mandate of looking after their patients and that of
being custodians for their families. Transport to workplace, school fees,
rentals, prices of basic commodities have multiplied several times against a
basic salary that has remained stagnant,” the letter reads.
“We, therefore, demand payment of our salaries and arrears
immediately at the current interbank rate. Also note that on the July 1, 2019,
we forwarded a letter of demand to your office, but you did not respond. While
still considering our grievances, let it be known to you that we shall be able
to report for duty only once per week from Monday July 29, 2019 (yesterday).”
In a letter dated June 24, the workers demanded that salary
arrears be paid in hard currency or matched to the interbank rate.
“We, hereby, demand full payment of our salary owing in
United States dollars or at an equivalent rate without further delay….we demand
payment of our salary dues in US dollar or at an equivalent rate plus
allocation of our residential stands without delay,” the letter further reads.
By end of day yesterday, they had not received feedback
from their employer.
The nurses are currently earning salaries ranging between
$900 and $1 200 per month.
The council-run clinics and hospitals have been a lifeline
for Harare residents, owing to their affordability and quality service. Newsday
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