Council nurses vow to continue with go-slow

Blessings Chidakwa Municipal Correspondent

Harare City Council nurses who have been on go-slow since Monday over poor remuneration and outstanding salaries and 2018 bonuses, yesterday vowed to continue with their job action until their demands are met.

A snap survey carried out by The Herald yesterday showed that the nurses, who are owed two months salaries, were taking a casual approach to their work.

In a recent letter addressed to the City Health Department, the nurses called for an upward review of their salaries for them to resume full operations.

“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 of their families. Fares for transport to work, school fees, rentals (and) prices of basic commodities have multiplied several times while basic salaries have remained stagnant,” the letter reads.

“We, therefore, demand payment of our salaries and arrears immediately at the current interbank rate. Also note that on 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.”

City Health Director Dr Prosper Chonzi on Tuesday said the council was in the process of addressing their welfare.

“The nurses wrote to me saying they are incapacitated in terms of their bus fare and general well-being. They were proposing to have fixed hours like what their counterparts in the parent ministry are doing.

“They proposed to work one day per week, but it is quite tricky as they will fail to meet their obligations. However, their challenges are genuine and l sympathise with them especially when their pay is delayed. Worse still, it’s peanuts,” he said.

Dr Chonzi said his office had since communicated with the human capital department and the Town Clerk’s offices for a possible salary upward review for all health personnel.

“I cannot only address the issues of nurses alone as there are also general hands and others in the X-ray departments. As of today the nurses reported for work probably giving us ample time to address their issues,” he said.