Nurses deserve second chance

THE situation obtaining in the health sector, particularly with the nurses who were struck off the payroll by government, is worrisome and pathetic to say the least.

Nurses working in public hospitals are overworked and overwhelmed and it is in the public domain.

The employer who is the Health Services Board sat and reached a compromise with the employees that they should work flexi hours to cushion them since the employer was failing to remunerate them adequately.

This arrangement was rescinded by a directive from the Health permanent secretary who said normal service should resume forthwith.

Government through Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said it had struck off from the payroll nurses who did not heed the call.

Unfortunately, those that have been removed from the payroll had not reported for duty wilfully, but had been told that the flexi hours were still operational.

Over 1 000 nurses did not receive their November salaries and bonuses. Their crime was that they had not reported for duty for one day and at most, only two days, which was Monday and Tuesday on the understanding that they were still reporting for work on flexi hours.

My question is: Can one be removed from the payroll for not reporting for work for two days? Which labour laws did the authorities use to withhold the salaries of the workers?

Are we in a banana republic where the rule of law is cast aside in order to strike fear in the hearts of the workers.

Our government should spare a thought for the nurses who are victims in this case. So many innocent souls are being affected by this illadvised move.

Due process should be followed and government should desist from command control of the health sector and reinstate the salaries of the workers or in the worst case scenario dock the earnings for the two days and pay the remainder.

Have a heart and be considerate please.