By Paul Nyathi | Acting President Constantino Chiwenga has out done the offer made to striking junior doctors by President Emerson Mnangagwa and health Minister David Parirenyatwa.
In a meeting held between Chiwenga with his Co Deputy President Kembo Mohadi and the doctors’ labour consultants in Harare on Wednesday, Chiwenga completely revoked the previous offer tabled to the striking doctors.
Chiwenga acknowledged that the doctors’ grievances were genuine and that government needs to attend to the issues as a matter of urgency.
President Mnangagwa had approved a review of the doctors’ salaries and allowances of 50% which meant that the highly contested night allowance was only going up by 75 cents per hour from $1.50. The doctors were demanding that it be increased to $10 per hour.
Chiwenga threw out the proposed 50% increase and gave the doctors a new $5 per hour rate working a maximum 160 hours per month.
The rate will be reviewed gradually until it gets to the $10 per hour demanded by the doctors.
General Chiwenga also promised to review the doctors’ housing, medical and rural allowances.
Chiwenga also immediately withdrew a letter written by Parirenyatwa’s permanent secretary threatening not to pay all the striking doctors their March salaries if they did not return to work immediately.
Chiwenga further guaranteed the doctors that the vehicle loan scheme promised to them in 2014 was long put in place and government is going to deal with the office that has been denying the doctors access to the facility.
In a statement to fellow doctors, the Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association said that they had not yet accepted the offer made by Chiwenga waiting for it to be communicated in writing and be brought for discussion with the rest of the doctors.
“ZHDA requested documentation to make this concrete.
Unfortunately this is the highest office in Zim they approached and they were told we are negotiating in good faith,” said the statement.
“ZHDA NEC responded by saying that we will consult members and hear their input. Our response will be formal, on paper for records, as always,” added the statement.