Health and Child Care Minister Obadiah Moyo said striking doctors should return to work while the government remains for open for dialogue to find a permanent solution to the challenges bedevilling the health sector.
Responding to questions during a post-cabinet media briefing in Harare on Tuesday, Moyo told doctors to accept the 60 per cent salary increase as it was approved during collective bargaining. He said:
That approval stands. Government is guided by the law. That is why we went to the courts. We are following what the law states and we shall follow the law. There is no way we will go against what the law says.
Minister Moyo made it clear that the government was unable to pay health workers in United States dollars, nor in local currency at the interbank rate.
Doctors at public hospitals have not been reporting for duty for a month and a half saying their salaries have been eroded by inflation and no longer covers their basic needs.
But you can increase the salaries of those you deem important for your selfish reasons and agendas.
How much is your salary cde minister? Tell us all the benefits you enjoying while Zimbabweans suffer?
If you get sick you fly out of the country so how could you ever be concerned about really doing the honest thing and pay our doctors descent salaries and benefits just like you yourself is enjoying.
You are an embarrassment Dr Moyo
We expected a lot from you but alas just like Mtuli you both serve the interests of Zanu and not the people
How does the rule of law expect incapacitated people to report for work? What was the labour court judges smoking when they ordered penniless doctors to go back to work? Zvimwe zvinhu so, zvinoda njere not ma degree. This was a partisan ruling which lacks common sense and must be ignored.