06 Jul 2020 | 11:07 PM UTC
Zimbabwe: Police arrest striking nurses in Harare July 6 /update 1
Zimbabwean police arrest more than a dozen nurses protesting outside a hospital in Harare on July 6; further unrest possible over the near term
Event
On Monday, July 6, Zimbabwean police arrested at least 13 nurses and union representatives who were protesting outside a hospital in Harare. The arrests occurred outside the Sally Mugabe Hospital, the largest in the capital formerly known as Harare Central hospital. The nurses are currently on strike over pay demands and working conditions amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Nurses also protested in Bulawayo on Monday.
Further unrest associated with the ongoing strike is expected in Harare and across Zimbabwe over the near term.
Context
Health workers across Zimbabwe have been striking since June over pay demands and working conditions, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, having also done so in March. Among the demands, the health workers are requesting to be paid in US dollars (USD) due to the collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar. The government offered health workers a 50 percent pay increase and a 75USD monthly allowance, but this has been rejected by unions. Protests associated with the strike have been witnessed outside hospitals across Zimbabwe over the past few weeks.
Advice
Individuals in Zimbabwe are advised to confirm doctor's appointments, anticipate longer waiting times in medical facilities for the duration of the strike, and avoid any protests as a precaution.
