HARARE – The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has accused the government of failing to honour agreements reached in May on the review of health-specific allowances, warning that continued delays could push health workers into further collective action, including strikes.

ZINA, in a statement, said government and health worker representatives had agreed through the Health Bipartite Negotiating Forum in May that health-specific allowances would be reviewed, with the possibility of implementing revised allowances from June.

Health worker representatives subsequently submitted their proposals, and the Health Services Commission communicated the matter to the ministry of finance, but almost three months later there has been no substantive response or implementation.

“ZINA maintains that the government must honour its commitments and urgently conclude the review process,” the association said. “Continued delays are worsening an already serious morale crisis among nurses, doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other health professionals, with potential consequences for the quality and sustainability of healthcare delivery.”

The last review of the allowances — which cover night duty, on-call, standby, nurse managers, post-basic qualifications, mental health, special health duties and uniforms — was conducted in 2022.

ZINA said rising living costs and economic pressures had since significantly eroded the purchasing power of health workers, leaving the allowances inadequate compensation for the demanding and often unsocial conditions under which they operate.

The association also raised concern over the recently concluded health sector job evaluation conducted by the Health Services Commission, which health worker representatives have rejected, arguing that workers were inadequately consulted and that the methodology failed to fully recognise the unique demands of healthcare, including clinical responsibility, professional accountability, emergency response, unsocial working hours, specialist qualifications and workload.

Of particular concern to ZINA is the appeals process. An agreement reached in May provided for a 4-4 appeals committee comprising four worker representatives and four government representatives to consider concerns arising from the job evaluation. ZINA said it was “opposed to reports that the appeals process is being handled through the Public Service Commission instead,” arguing that the agreed mechanism cannot be unilaterally changed.

ZINA are calling on the government to urgently review and implement the health-specific allowances, provide a clear response to proposals already submitted, constitute the agreed 4-4 appeals committee, and ensure that the appeals process is transparent, inclusive and appropriate to the health sector. The association also urged the government to meaningfully engage health worker representatives and take immediate steps to restore morale and confidence within the health workforce.

The nurses said their grievances are not directed at patients.

“Nurses, doctors and other health professionals continue to work nights, weekends, public holidays, respond to emergencies and remain on standby while carrying their own family and financial responsibilities,” the statement read.

“They deserve fair treatment and compensation for the essential services they provide.”

“ZINA remains committed to dialogue and constructive engagement, but stresses that dialogue must produce results, promises must be honoured and agreements must be respected,” the association said, warning that “should the outstanding issues remain unresolved, health workers may be left with no option but to consider further collective action, including withdrawal of services, in pursuit of a resolution.”