Nurses Notify Government Of Planned Strike From 15–17 April

Zimbabwean nurses have announced plans to stage a strike from 15 to 17 April 2026, demanding better salaries and improved working conditions.

The Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) formally notified the Secretary of the Health Service Commission (HSC) of the planned strike in a letter dated 26 March 2026.

In the letter, ZINA President Enock Dongo said that while the Health Service Act requires a 48-hour notice period, the association is providing a longer notice in the spirit of resolving disputes amicably.

Dongo said this allows the employer an opportunity to address the nurses’ grievances before the next pay cycle. Should no resolution be reached, the nurses say they will proceed with the strike. He wrote:

“The basic salary for nurses remains unacceptably low and not commensurate with the cost of living or the demands of the profession.

“Of grave concern is that this basic salary forms the basis upon which retirement packages are calculated, effectively condemning nurses to retire into poverty after years of dedicated service.”

ZINA has called on the government to urgently introduce a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) to shield nurses from the impact of the country’s harsh economic conditions.

Dongo said that many nurses are now spending a disproportionate amount of their income on commuting, with some forced to walk long distances to reach their workplaces.

Dongo also raised concerns over unexplained salary deductions and the prolonged unavailability of payslips, which deny nurses transparency and make it difficult for them to verify their earnings.

He said the recent job evaluation exercise was criticised as unfair, with many nurses graded inadequately relative to their responsibilities and workload.

ZINA also said the health sector allowances remain outdated and largely meaningless in the current economic environment, while nurses are struggling to secure affordable accommodation, particularly in high-demand areas.

The association further expressed frustration over the lack of input in shift scheduling and reported incidents of intimidation against nurses who raise legitimate concerns.

According to ZINA, these challenges have left nurses feeling disempowered and undervalued despite the critical nature of their work.

In response, ZINA has demanded that the employer review and adjust basic salaries, introduce a meaningful COLA, update health-specific allowances, address transport challenges, ensure payroll transparency, and rectify job grading anomalies.

The association also called for reforms to the locum system to better manage staff shortages, the introduction of non-monetary incentives such as residential stands and housing support, and a commitment to respectful dialogue that safeguards labour rights.

Dongo stressed that should the employer respond positively to these demands, nurses would consider cancelling the planned nationwide strike scheduled for mid-April.