The recent nurses strike was dramatic in its ending. It had crippled the already struggling national health delivery
system (or at least what remains of it) and no doubt placed many innocent lives
at risk. But it is and remains the democratic
right of nurses and other health staff to undertake industrial action.
Especially within the context of a perennially insensitive government/employer.
The main reason for the strike was the demand for a salary increase
and outstanding allowances.
The government in turn claimed that it had paid a total of
US$17 million in the backdated allowances and therefore advised that the striking
nurses return to work. They refused.
In an abrupt fashion Vice President Chiwenga, dismissed them
by dictat through a public statement. And tellingly asked all unemployed nurses
to apply for the now ‘vacant’ posts. Newspaper
headlines played on the legality of the summary dismissal but also the apparent
defiance of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA). The latter also filed an urgent high court
application challenging the legality of the matter. Social media was sympathetic and even led to
acts of solidarity at Africa Unity Square in Harare.
Then it all came crashing down. First with allegations of alleged political meddling
levelled by government at the ZINA leadership.
Then secondly the hard reality faced by the thousands of striking nurses
of the possibility of really losing their jobs. And thinking about all the new
applicants thronging state hospitals seeking to replace them.
In a sign that there were now negotiations behind the
scenes, the minister of health announced that the dismissed nurses could reapply
for their jobs. And then the bombshell
followed. ZINA withdrew its urgent court
application. Their lawyers advised the High
Court that the ZINA leadership did not give a reason for this withdrawal. But it would not be far-fetched to say this
was part of a negotiated deal. Even
though its not too clear who can claim victory over the other here.
What is apparent is that the government intended to bully
the nurses into calling off their strike.
And it sort of did with the summary dismissal. The most unfortunate
statement however came from President
Mnangagwa who told a church gathering that the striking nurses should learn
that the country has owners (vene vayo). What he meant by that is not all together
clear save for the intimidatory implication of his words.
Overall however the state’s reaction was very disdainful if
not altogether arrogant toward labour and the nurses’ grievances. And this should worry the unions. Especially as we approach workers day on 01
May.
The ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ mantra of government is
in no way designed to work closely with labour but capital. Hence the disdain for the nurses and their
industrial action. If anything in the
aftermath of its strike ZINA should be wary of a further backlash concerning
its right to strike let alone organise its association independent of government
interference. As well as having the
membership subscription fees removed from payrolls.
Where the government has countered the ZINA action with arguments
about the sanctity of human life and dismissed issues of working conditions, it
is being ridiculously dishonest. The
disastrous state of hospitals and the services they offer is the responsibility
of government. And where such a parlous
state of affairs continues to obtain, including poor working conditions for hospital
staff, it becomes government that all along has not been respecting the
sanctity of human life.
And this is why the nurses strike has been an important
pointer to all of us as to the national importance of a people-centered national
health delivery service. While we cannot
stop private players in the sector, we must defend it as a public service. This would include challenging government’s ‘ease
of doing business’ plans with the health services sector by insisting on the
retention of all major national, provincial and district hospitals under the policy
and financial auspices of the state in order to guarantee equal access to
health services for all Zimbabweans. If
we do not push back against an impending attempt at not only privatising what
remains of our public health system, but also subduing unionism of health
service workers, we will become a very sick nation. Literarily.
*Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capacity (takura-zhangazha.blogspot.com)
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