ZIMBABWE
The Zimbabwean Government has announced the sacking of 16,000 striking public hospital nurses as it tries to suppress labour unrest in the build-up to elections in July.
The Government said the nurses’ action was politically motivated and the sackings were “in the interest of patients”.
Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga (pictured) said the strikers would be replaced with retired and unemployed staff.
The nurses had been on strike for four days over unpaid allowances and other issues, leaving hospitals understaffed.
Their action came days after junior doctors wrapped up a month-long walkout over pay and working conditions.
Mr Chiwenga said the Zimbabwe Nurses Association had rejected a US$17 million (A$22 million) offer to clear wage arrears.
“Government now regards this lack of remorse as politically motivated, and thus going beyond concerns of conditions of services and worker welfare,” Mr Chiwenga said.
He did not say which political group he thought was behind the strike.
Meanwhile, the Government has ordered the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to follow proper procedures in terminating contracts for more than 3,000 youth officers after a court ruled it had failed to comply with the law in severing ties with them.
Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Patrick Chinamasa said the Government had agreed to reinstate the officers pending fulfilment of a court order after lawyers representing the youths challenged their dismissal, arguing that proper procedure had not been followed.
In his 2018 Budget address, Mr Chinamasa said the youth officers would be relieved of their duties, saving the Government about US$19.3 million (A$24.8 million) annually.
He said there was a need to rationalise staff to avoid duplication of some duties.
Harare, 19 April 2018
