Zimbabwe's ex-army chief fires 15,000 nurses

Constantino Chiwenga became vice-president in December

Zimbabwe’s former army chief Constantino Chiwenga has fired more than 15,000 nurses who went on strike to demand better wages.

Mr Chiwenga led the military takeover last November that resulted in the overthrow of President Robert Mugabe – and is now vice-president.

In a statement, he said money had been released to the health ministry to pay outstanding allowances to the striking nurse on Monday.

While this demonstrates good faith in the part of government, the prompt transfers which have been effected against demonstrable economic challenges facing the country, has not quite surprisingly persuaded the striking nurses to go back to their stations in the interest of saving lives and helping helpless patients under their care.

The government now regards this lack of remorse as politically motivated and thus as going beyond concerns of conditions of service and worker welfare.”

Retired nurses staff would be recalled to work, he said.

According to Zimbabwe's Independent Online new site, this strike comes after the government gave in to doctors’ demands and increased their salaries and allowances following a month-long strike that had crippled the health sector.

Source: bbc.com