Govt Hopeful Of Striking Deal With Doctors - Minister Nzenza
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Sekai Nzenza said that the government will soon start negotiations with doctors following the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA)’s letter to the Health Services Board (HSB) demanding a salary increment.
The doctors cited incapacitation and gave the government a three-week notice to embark on a strike if their grievances are not addressed.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail, Nzenza revealed that her Ministry will soon meet the doctors through the National Joint Negotiations Council (NJNC). She said:
Negotiations will start soon. I need to confirm the date, but it’s soon. They are going to be done through the NJNC (National Joint Negotiations Council), together with the Health Services Board.
A strike will be the last resort. We will negotiate with doctors and I am confident we will come up with a resolution.
The Tripartite Negotiating Forum brings unions, Government and business together to discuss economic issues affecting the workers.
In a letter addressed to the Health Services Board chairperson, Dr Paulinus Sikhosana, ZHDA said that they will not continue subsiding the government anymore. They demanded that the government adjust their earnings according to the inter-market bank rate.
ZHDA acting president Dr Peter Magombeyi told The Sunday Mail on Saturday that the government has not yet formally responded to the union’s statement.
