Nurses at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare staged a brief protest on Tuesday, calling for better salaries as well as improved transport and housing allowances.
The demonstration was triggered in part by confusion over their latest pay, with many saying their salaries had been reduced this month. When they sought clarification, they were told the deductions were due to backdated taxes.
Some nurses said they no longer have a clear idea of what they actually earn, as their pay appears to change from month to month.
On average, they receive around US$250 plus ZiG3,000, which they say is no longer enough to meet basic living costs.
The protest at Victoria Chitepo comes amid growing unrest among healthcare workers across the country.
At Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare, nurses recently downed tools, complaining that their salaries no longer cover essentials, particularly following sharp fuel price increases.
They also raised concerns over transport allowances, saying the money they receive is far below what they now spend getting to work.
At Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, nurses went a step further, embarking on strike action earlier this week.
They described their pay as “peanuts” and demanded urgent salary reviews, better transport and housing allowances, and improved working conditions.
Some also rejected the use of Public Service Commission buses, saying they do not align with their shifts.
Across the board, nurses say the rising cost of living is making it increasingly difficult to report for duty, warning that without meaningful intervention, the situation could worsen.
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