Nurses stage flash demonstration over poor wages as government pleads for patience
NURSES at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare staged a flash demonstration Friday, protesting low wages and rising living costs, as government called for patience while measures to address the situation are being finalised. The brief protest, which drew attention from patients and passers-by, was marked by emotive placards that reflected the pressures facing healthcare […] The post Nurses stage flash demonstration over poor wages as government pleads for patience appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
Black News 
NURSES at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare staged a flash demonstration Friday, protesting low wages and rising living costs, as government called for patience while measures to address the situation are being finalised.
The brief protest, which drew attention from patients and passers-by, was marked by emotive placards that reflected the pressures facing healthcare workers. Some nurses held signs reading “Tohurira Rent” – a question asking whether they should turn to commercial sex to pay rent.
Others carried placards with the inscription “Nduwe Dzave Tambo”, suggesting their underwear had become tattered and worn out. Additional messages questioned whether they should resort to commercial sex simply to secure transport money.
Taken together, the placards pointed to a workforce under strain, with nurses saying they have endured years of unfulfilled promises while waiting for improved conditions.
The demonstration comes as civil servants continue to grapple with stagnant incomes and a sharp rise in fuel prices. Most government workers currently earn around US$250, supplemented by a portion in local currency, an amount widely regarded as inadequate to meet basic living costs.
The fuel price increase has also pushed up transport costs, with commuter omnibus fares now averaging around US$2 per trip, making it more difficult for workers to report for duty consistently.
Government has attributed the fuel price hikes to ongoing conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran, citing disruptions to global supply chains. This is despite earlier assurances that the country holds sufficient fuel reserves to last up to three months.
Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, George Charamba, urged calm, saying government was aware of the challenges facing its workforce. Writing on his X account, Jamwanda (@Jamwanda2), Charamba said:
“Good tidings are coming both on the fuel front and salaries for civil servants. Government is fully aware of the pressures its workforce faces, particularly in the wake of disturbances in the Middle East. A review of wages and salaries was due anyway; it is coming, certainly by this April!!!”
Meanwhile, nurses say the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate.
Farai Matsime, the nurses’ representative contact person, said the workload was increasing while reporting for duty was becoming more difficult.
“The workload is becoming too much for us because we even have patients ferried from rural areas every now and then. We are not refusing to work. We want to continue working. All the nurses are saying the same thing. But coming to work is now a challenge,” he said.
Nurses also indicated that they may withdraw from night duty, citing poor allowance remittances that no longer justify the demands of extended shifts.
The developments highlight ongoing concerns within the public sector over wages and working conditions, as workers weigh government assurances against the realities of rising costs.
The post Nurses stage flash demonstration over poor wages as government pleads for patience appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
