JUNIOR doctors have reached fifty days of industrial action still declaring incapacitation to report to duty.
By Kuda Pembere
Addressing journalists on Monday, Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association (ZHDA) Secretary General Dr Tawanda Zvakada said they have been on this labour action since September 3.
We have called this conference precisely to update the nation on the developments that have occurred to date since doctors’ nationwide declared incapacitation exactly fifty days ago. We remain incapacitated with our primary needs not met.
“On the 3 rd of September 2019, doctors nationwide downed their tools following a letter delivered to the government three weeks prior stating our incapacitation, how we would be unable to provide services if changes were not made.
“This ultimatum comes on the back of numerous failed attempts to engage the Health Service Board and responsible ministries to review our salaries which have lost value by over 1 500 as a result of inflation. Doctors earn less than USD100 per month for some no longer able to cover rentals,bus fare and other essential daily expenses,” he said.
He said their situation has become synonymous with modern day slavery. This declaration comes on the heels of a Labour Court ruling that they return to work.
“Doctors chose to act swiftly to respond to the move. The employer responded by taking us to the courts saying our acts amounted to illegal collective job action. The basis to why the courts declared the labour action remains a mystery to us as reasons have not been given.
“Our legal team is in the process of filing an appeal to seek clarification and change the decision. The ruling went on to issue a directive to all doctors to return to return to their stations.
“While there is willingness on the part of our constituencies to comply with the court ruling we maintain that we remain physically and materially incapacitated,” Dr Zvakada said.
Dr Zvakada said they intend to escalate their matter to the Supreme Court.
