Health workers reject 15% as strike spreads across ministries and countrywide

Ministry of health workers on the Copperbelt have rejected an offer for a 15 per cent salary increase and resolved to continue with the strike. Health workers from Ndola and Kitwe resolved this during a meeting held at the Ndola Central Hospital (NCH) June 9.

Civil Servants and Allied Workers Union of Zambia (CSAWUZ) Ndola district chairperson, Joy Beene told the workers that Government has offered them a 15 percent pay rise. He alleged that Government has indicated that it is not willing to negotiate beyond the 15 percent salary increase and that it is ready to declare a dispute.

“This means that they can’t negotiate because the negotiations have stalled. They will call a conciliator and if they fail to agree, the matter will be taken to court,” Beene said.

He also said the Resident Doctors Association of Zambia (RDAZ) has also resolved to go on strike if Government does not meet the demands of health workers. Beene accused some national union leaders of allegedly being comfortable with the proposed 15 percent salary increase.

“But our members have refused the 15 percent salary increment, they have resolved to continue with the strike,” he said. Beene said the national union leaders should address the workers in order to clarify the allegations of accepting a 15 percent pay rise.