By Talent Gondo

In a twist of events which is set to have adverse ripple effects on their demand for better remuneration and  working conditions, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association (ZINA) has called off the ongoing strike by nurses calling on its membership to report for duty this Monday, April 23.

In a statement issued today, the ZINA said the ongoing strike had been highly politicised hence the need for the nurses to go back to work to pave way for the re opening of negotiations and protection of the workers.

“it is highly regretable that our cause for the collective job action has been highly politicised and this has portrayed us in bad light,” said the ZINA.

“To pave way for the re-opening of negotiations and protection of our workers we have decided to call off the industrial action.”

The labour body however indicated that government had not honoured its promise to pay US$17, 1 million to its membership as agreed in the 2010 negotiations adding that government had indicated that they could only pay those on duty.

“If you recall, government said it offered us US$17.1 million payable on 19 April but this promise never came into fruition because they cited that they can only pay those on duty.

Since the announcement summarily dismissing nurses, no negotiations have taken place with the employer because we are deemed dismissed,” read the ZINA statement.

The organisation revealed that a meeting scheduled with the minister did not take place although it did not indicate which minister was supposed to meet the organisation’s leadership.

“Our court application still remains on course and papers have been served to the defendant and we anticipate the court to sit soon to determine our case. We therefore encourage all our members to report for duty on Monday.” said the ZINA.