NANGO stands in solidarity with its members that have issued statements condemning the government’s arbitrary decision to dismiss all striking nurses from their positions at state-run hospitals.
On Tuesday 17 April 2018 the Vice President, Retired General Constantino Chiwenga, fired nurses employed at state-run hospitals that had been protesting against poor salaries and unfavourable working conditions. He accused the disgruntled government employees of being influenced by political motives. Vice President Rtd. Gen. Chiwenga made the statement in his capacity as the Supervisor of the Social Services Cluster.
In their statements members remind the government that it has a responsibility to ensure that citizen’s rights to heath care is not compromised and should immediately implement measures to resolve the situation at state-run hospitals.
The three organisations assert that they stand in solidarity with the dismissed workers and hold government accountable for the blatant breach of the health workers’ fundamental rights and the Zimbabwean Constitution as well as any consequences that will arise from staff shortages at health institutions.
NANGO members expressed that the decision to dismiss the nurses is an unfair labour practice in a country that is a signatory to the International Labour Organisation Statutes and Labour Rights. They also call upon the government to reverse this unfortunate decision as it militates against the fundamental rights of citizens and has a grave effect on the health delivery system.
NANGO condemns the dismissal as it exacerbates health practitioners’ mass exodus to neighbouring countries in search for greener pastures. More so, it contravenes section 65 of the Constitution which, among others, guarantees labour rights to every person except members of the security services.
The Zimbabwean Constitution in Section 65 (2) provides as follows “Except for members of the security services, every person has the right to form and join trade unions and employee and employers’ organisations of their choice and to participate in the lawful activities of those unions and organisations”.
It is at this backdrop that NANGO concurs with its members in demanding urgent attention towards concerns raised by nurses, calling on the government to uphold the constitution and rescind its decision, review the Health Services Act, develop level benchmarks of service and accountability as well as increase funding allocated to the health sector and strive to allocate 15% to health as stipulated in the Abuja Declaration. NANGO also supports the numerous peaceful initiatives that have come up around the country in solidarity with nurses.
