A countrywide strike is looming in the health sector after all the three unions declared a dispute with the Zambian Government over improved working conditions.
The Health Workers Union of Zambia, Zambia Union of Nurses Organisations and the Zambia National Union of Health and Allied Workers have failed to agree with Government’s bargaining unit on some issues that were under negotiations from November 2013 and ended yesterday, May 28 2014.
The disputed issues include Government’s unilaterally declaration of a two year salary freeze for 2014 and 2015 and the recruitment freeze of health personnel in 2014.The other issues include the misplacement of nursing and other health workers with certificates in lower salary scale ‘F’ in comparison to their counterparts with similar level of qualifications who are placed in salary scale ‘G’ which is contrary to the principles of the newly introduced Single Spine Salary Structure.
The unions are also aggrieved by Government’s failure to exercise spirit of give and take despite health sector unions having exercised this principle which they say is the hallmark of collective bargaining.
Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka, Health Workers Union of Zambia President Chrispin Sampa said Government has been stiff necked throughout the negotiations.
“Because of its stiff-necked position throughout the negotiations process, Government lamentably failed to consider awarding even slightest increases demanded by unions. Health personal shift differential allowance from 15 percent to 17.5 percent of one’s basic salary, commuted night duty allowance from 7 percent to 9 percent and transport allowance from 10 to 14 percent of one’s monthly basic salary,” he said.
He added, “Since the negotiations have collapsed and a collective dispute successfully declared by evoking Section 75 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act, the health sector unions have now to go to another level, for remedy.”
Mr Sampa said all relevant parties have been informed including Government through its negotiating team and the Labour Commissioner.
“We therefore appeal to all health workers including nurses and midwives throughout the country to remain calm as we commence the process of resolving the said collective dispute.”
Oh no ! Not another strike again.Hope a solution will be found soon.
They think Ba Sata is sick so they can strike, no ways he is fairly well. He just gave your jobs back, mwasamwa.
Ba Charles, these nurses wanna strike again, FIRE them before even think about it!!!
Ha ha ha nice one ba Nostradamus.
Health sector needs to be sensitive to what is happening to our economy salary increment is not in the best interest of the current economic conditions the country is facing. It is high time people started appreciating how governments work. It is not all about more cash in the pockets. ASk Shamenda and Bob Sichinga now about the issue of more cash in the pockets and the statement that the Kwacha will be as strong as it was in the 60’s after rebasing. Now PF fully understand how much they are under weights in terms of economic management of the country. Please nurses and the rest hold the fire before you till this economy beyond repairable state.
Again! Bushe mukomfwa? This time it is everyone with no re-instatements. Go ahead and on sympathies.
Friends can we start looking for a credible candident to rule. Sata was elected on the understanding that he had experience with local government. It is unfortunate that the man’s health has let him down. I have a belief that he would have left most of the rural areas he has created into districts into somethings to admire.
MAGANDE
Magande has left history of being a good economic manager. The records are there for all of us to see. At one time the kwacha almost came to K2.00 per dollar while he cleared the debts for this country with infrastructure dev.
Others who call themselves economic managers have only managed to accrue personal wealth and nothing to show about what they have done for Zambians. Personal wealth does not translate into being a good leader – i.e HH , GBM etc.
What a non comparison. Has HH held a position where he has to direct the use of government resources? A little bit of common sense would not go amiss.
Mwana Ka Kalunda.You don’t have to be in govt.in order to help pipo.When in Govt.you just continue doing what you used to do even with your little resources.I remember in 2001,Dr Mumba went to Sompani in Gwembe Valley-Southern Province where he installed a hammer mill and donated some food staffs at Sompani Primary School(In Chief Munyumb we Area).He installed similar Hammer Mills also at Shambamba and in other areas.About 7 Hammer Mills in the Gwembe Valley.At one time Dr Mumba even invited the Area MP Hon.Brian Ntundu to officiate at the hand-over ceremony of the Hammer Mill at Sompani.I was there when these installations were taking place.
Fire all of them!
I personally have analysed those oposition political parties as follows.
(i) Frank Bwalay- the best he has done is tear a dove at a public rally in Ndola- Masala
(ii) Elias Chipimo- I have no record of what the man has done at national level except to learn that he is a lawyer.
(iii) Hakainde Hichilema – holds shares in a number of companies and accrued personal wealth- nothing to show at national level. Calls himself economic manager – but which economy has he managed? – personal wealth? – nothing at Natioanal level
(iii) Nevers Mumba – preached well at church, former fired Vice president, nothing more.
(iv) Edith Nwakwi- various ministrial positions, fighter of other women’s husbands
Charity begins at home, if you cant manage your own home, how can you manage national resources. No wonder, we are where we are, we give control of the economy and national issues to people who have no track record apart from politicking “don’t kubeba”. Please Kavuyi be rational and logical, look at the world around you, they depend on the development of young people for future progression, you expect 18th century solutions to 21st issues, it will never work. Look no further than the Kwacha.
PF, Power failed cadres who have seen the price-raise through the Chikwanda fallen kwacha K7.30/US$. Don’t provoke people if you are the one hammering more than K90,000 per month and at the end of your five years you get a package of K8m as your gratuity over the tax payers who tire whole years and gets to ma change.
Interesting comments
Strikes are expected to roll up due to the inflation. There is no way things will be cheaper in Zambia. The country can not rely on borrowed money as a way of development when food on the tables of the intermediate and the poor is so little. Malnutrition which was the thing of the past in the previous government has come back. When people complain that things are not fine, only those who are managing like the MPs, Ministers and other rich people are benefiting. Twachula and don’t take it light when people complain.
You can not bring wage freeze to civil servants when in the fact you are borrowing from outside and hammer higher tax on your own citizens. MPs, Ministers and PSs can you politely tell us how much allowances you get compared to the civil servants if you are for the…
plus removal of subsidies wher the money can not even be seen wher its going
Our government lacks problem solving skills, and it’s also extremely hard for them to admit anything, they just tried to deceive us about the President not being sick, when we can see with our own eyes his deterioration, in this case they just need to admit they have no money or there priority is structures first people last.