Nurses Declare Nationwide Strike Over Poor Salaries – Eduzim News

By A Correspondent- Zimbabwe’s public healthcare system is facing fresh turmoil after nurses announced a nationwide strike from 20 to 22 April, blasting the Government over what they describe as a meaningless salary adjustment and continued neglect of their working conditions.

The planned industrial action comes after what nurses say were fruitless engagements with the Health Service Commission (HSC).

An earlier strike scheduled for 15 to 17 April had been called off in good faith, but that decision now appears to have backfired.

When salaries were paid on 14 April, nurses reacted angrily, accusing authorities of offering a “token”
increase in ZiG that failed to address the harsh economic realities they face daily.

In a strongly worded letter dated 14 April 2026, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) made it clear that patience had run out, formally notifying the HSC of their decision to proceed with the strike.
“On the 26th of March 2026, we gave the employer notice indicating that employees were asking for an increase in their salaries,” the letter reads.

“Subsequent engagements were done with your office but, however, the latest pay cycle commencing on or about the 13th of April 2026 has revealed that the promised increases were only done as a token and not seriously meant to address the plight of nurses.”

ZINA did not hold back, accusing the Government of failing to take their concerns seriously despite weeks of dialogue.

“As a result, the basic salaries for nurses still remain unacceptably low and not commensurate with the cost of living or the demands of the profession,” the association added.
The dispute highlights deep frustrations within the healthcare sector, with nurses pointing to stagnant wages, the absence of meaningful cost-of-living adjustments, and rising transport costs that are making it increasingly difficult to report for duty.
They warned that these conditions are not only affecting morale but are now directly threatening patient care.

Earlier assurances and engagement efforts have also come under fire, with ZINA suggesting that the Government’s response lacked sincerity from the outset. The association said feedback from members showed the salary review was widely seen as cosmetic rather than a genuine attempt to improve conditions.

Now, with a fresh notice issued in line with the Health Service Act, ZINA is pushing for a coordinated nationwide shutdown, warning that anything less would weaken their bargaining position.

The looming strike is expected to severely disrupt public health services across Zimbabwe, raising fears of chaos in already strained hospitals. Although emergency services in intensive and critical care units are expected to continue, the broader impact on patient care could be significant.

The standoff underscores a growing crisis in the country’s health sector, where frontline workers say they are being pushed to the brink while authorities fail to deliver meaningful solutions.

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