MINISTER of Health, Kapembwa Simbao, has appealed to nurses and other health workers to go back to work because their continued strike after the signing of a new collective agreement is illegal.
And Government spokesman, Ronnie Shikapwasha has said that striking nurses at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka should go back to work or resign if they do not want the 15 per cent salary increment offered.
In a statement issued on Friday night, Mr Simbao said it is not fair to continue the strike even after the conclusion of negotiations and the signing of a new collective agreement between Government and the workers’ unions.
“I decided to wait for the conclusion of the negotiations. And now the negotiations have been concluded, the unions have signed the labour agreements as best as they could, but still I see a continuation of strikes in some areas. We think this is not fair. It is not fair to the health fraternity, to the Government, to the union leaders and to the Zambian people,” the minister said.
Mr Simbao pointed out the workers took industrial action when negotiations were going on, without a dispute being declared between the negotiating parties.
He said workers should uphold the laws because everyone would suffer if lawlessness becomes the norm.
Mr Simbao said the norm of lawlessness could start with a small number of people defying Government, while many people sit by the sidelines cheering and encouraging them.
“Everything becomes impossible to manage, and some people think Government is to blame, but they forget how it all started, now that lawlessness becomes the law. I want to tell the nurses that staying away from work is not what we want to encourage,” Mr Simbao said.
He expressed surprise at the action by the nurses because, “on my own and on behalf of the Government, we are very nurse-friendly.”
Mr Simbao said that Government decided to address issues affecting nurses and other health workers such as accommodation, transport and uniforms for nurses even before they went on strike.
He said he has allocated K4.8billion for nurses’ uniforms and all health workers in the country and that these uniforms will be bought this year after the ministry is funded.[quote]
Mr Simbao said the ministry will this year construct houses for nurses in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, Mansa, Chipata and Solwezi.
Thirty-two one-bedroom flats will be constructed at Highland House in Lusaka, 16 one-bedroom flats each at Ndola Central Hospital, Arthur Davison Hospital and Kitwe Central Hospital.
Mansa, Chipata and Solwezi general hospitals will have 16 one-bedroom flats each for nurses.
Mr Simbao said the Ministry of Health will also purchase 30-seater minibuses to augment the existing fleet for nurses.
He has forwarded this proposal to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.
The minister said issues of leave pay and long service awards were also addressed during the negotiations.
Mr Simbao said he has also asked his permanent secretary to carry out a study of nurses’ remunerations and conditions of service in Lesotho, Swaziland, South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, so that Zambia could properly position itself in the region.
“I did all this even before the strike and I am fully committed to this effort. I am therefore appealing to nurses who still see it fit to continue with the strike that you are not doing it in good faith. You must return to work and serve the Zambian people,” Mr Simbao said.
And Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in an interview with the Sunday Mail that if nurses have the passion for patients, they should end the strike.
He accused some opposition leaders of encouraging nurses to continue with the strike.
“This is very bad, especially that nurses have failed to reason and stand on the word of the opposition. So if nurses feel they will not go back to work, they can resign now,” he said.
Gen. Shikapwasha said Government has spoken and it is up to the striking nurses to decide whether to go back to work or resign.
A check by the Sunday Mail at UTH yesterday revealed that the nurses have continued their strike and the wards are being manned by doctors and student nurses. Most of the wards were closed.
Meanwhile, police have continued their vigil at the hospital to curb theft of property and to prevent striking nurses from loitering within the premises.
In Ndola, NKWETO MFULA reports that nurses have continued their strike despite their union leaders telling them to return to work.
Student nurses were yesterday assisting senior members of staff and expatriate doctors at Ndola Central Hospital (NCH) and Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital (ADCH).
Some retirees have been called to beef up staff at the two institutions.
Most of patients at NCH who were not in a critical condition have been discharged from the hospital.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
You should first resign yourself ala….
this guy is a joker. he can say this because his salary and allowances are put in his account in time. he is waiting for graduity which is coming soon menwhile nurses will not even have their case heard..
if they resign mr shakapwasha is your wife and your children going to take care of the patients?Be reasonable before spitting.
If there’s an agreement then why are they still striking?that means they are not satisfied with conditions of service.if they don’t want to work then they should resign!!what a ….comment!!!!What if most of them resign?
Go tell your wife!
What kind of indoctrination do Zambian ministers go through for them to issue similar foolish statements without thinking and using their brains?
This government doesnt care.I am scared for our country.we have the wrongest set of human beings in power
General Shikapwasha,
Dont issue THREATS.You have to NEGOTIATE,APPEAL to striking health workers to go back for WORK and not issue THREATS.This is CANDRE mentality.
If ONE compares what you (GEN.SHIKA) has said to what Your friend (SIMBAO) has said,there is a big -big difference in terms of REASONING.
If we are to calculate the SIGNIFICANT VALUE,the P_VALUE for you comments (GEN) is GREATER than 0.05.(P>0.05).
SIMBAO is intelligent.
Gen.Shikapwasha,emulate you friend please!
Zambia nomba elo the so called leaders nabatumpa na banyantanamo. I don’t think the chap used his mouse to tell health workers to resign.
#8. Have you ever head/read anything sensible from Gen. Shikapwasha. Compare Gen. Shikapwasha with Gen. Michael Jackson of Great Britain. If you are a Zambian you will cryto note that there’s completely nothing in our general’s head. You will even wonder about the mental state of the chap who made him a general. Thanks God, Zambia never had to fight a war. While, when you listen to Michael Jackson, you conclude, “these are real men/generals”, in the real sense. MJ is wise and intellegent. He speaks and stands for the truth.
SHIKAPUBA MIND YOUR THREATS.THIS IS NOT KU ZAF. YOU ARE DEALING WITH CIVILIANS AND WE DONT OPERATE BY WAY OF ORDERS AND THREATS. GO BACK TO ZAF IF YOU STIL WANT TO ISSUE THREATS. IFYABUPUBAFYE LYONSE IWE WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. TELL YOUR FELLOW PARLIAMENTARIANS TO FORGOE YOUR MID TERM GRATUITIES SO THAT THE NURSES DEMANDS CAN BE MET. YOU KNOW THAT IF THEY DONT GET THE 15% THEN YOUR GRATUITY IS DOOMED SO YOU WILL TRY EVERY THING POSSIBLE TO INTIMIDATE THEM. SUPPOSE THEY ALL RESIGN, IS THEIR MONEY GOING TO BE READY AT ONCE AND WHERE WILL YOU GET IT FROM AND WORSE STIL WHERE WILL YOU GET THE TRAINED PERSONNEL TO MAN THE HOSPITALS AND CLINICS. THINK BEFORE YOU YAP YAP MAMBALA.
fimo ifibantu fipuba. Pamenso kwati chilenya, can you tell nurses to resign? Simbao is talking with reasoning mind but chishikapuba the mouth stinks…
Minister should resign first for failing to help the poor nurses
Thank you very much Hon. K. Simbao for the cool and calm appeal to the striking nurses to resume work in order to serve suffering n poor people in hospitals. Bembas say, ” ukusanda icisenda kunkoko kunakilila” hey, i ‘ve got to check my bemba proficiency…
The nurses have become heartless and choose to use the suffering and death to bargain. Nursing is first of all a calling and then a profession. Otherwise, many instead of being nurses are infact Angels of death. The become impervious to the suffering and dying. They literally become hardened at heart because of the monetary aspect and suppose they are justified in their position. I agree totally with the government, already there are too many people who have died as a result of this strike and the govt cant be held at ransom using human beings who choose to use human suffering to bargain.
Let those wicked Angels of death resign. Why use human suffering to bargain. Let them choose another profession if it is money they want.
iwe SIMBAO,you are one of the few ministers who is respected in that infamous cabinet.but your rhetoric of late is worrying us.now if you fire the striking nurses who will take care of the already distressed patients,your mother.?naiwewine twakusula.keep on licking rupiah’s boots.tukamimona.
for them not to be going back to work after you’ve signed the new collective agreement means there is something thats wrong… They’re not kids to be fooled around you know.
Arrogant ministers
I have seen how wicked these nurses can be. The only way they can avoid being Angels of death is by resigning. Who does not know that we are a poor nation and many are suffering. There are people getting far less than they and have no good excuse and shield as they to let their grievances known. The nurses choose directly the most painful weapon- death and suffering. Ethically, they are no different from heartless criminals! Do you suppose that the popliticians will have the guilt of the dying people on their heads? People are dying because nurses choose to ignore them! Let their blood be upon them, they and not the politician took oath to serve, they are the ones who pledged and not the politicians.
These nurses can look at a dying infant and smile. I have seen that! Why take the life of another so lightly for an extra k1m. Why lie that you will do all that you can to serve lives? It is far better to resign than pretend that you will serve human lives.
These Angels of death are ruthless and heartless, they have become impervious to human suffering, they have become devils instead of Angels. The very calling that was mearnt to bring hope to lives has become an avenue for thier becoming human demons.
I have seen nurses twist their faces into baricades of hope. May the blood of the dying, hopeless infants be upon their heads for lying and issue false oaths. May God be ever so close to the dying and helpless people. May he hear the cries of the dying poor. God does answer prayer, but the wicked he will curse!
May the loard Almighty remember them for their cruelty and heartlessness!
Labor is not cheap. Hon Simbao it comes with a price. Pay nurses what is reasonable, negotiate not threatening them. They too have families and want to see the fruits of their labor. Health care is not charity. Those nurses are serving the zambian people who pay those taxes that bought the nice suite you are wearing, that nourishes that body of yours look at you . Respect the taxpayers, let them get what they are taxed for not those empty threats. Can you and your cabinet treat zambian s if all nurses resigned? Learn some respect man!
The herald you are right! These nurses took oath to serve but then most of them are nurses because they failed and nursing was an easier alternative even if it meart taking oath. Why take an oath so lightly? They bring curses upon themselves. No one is to blame for their negligent actions. Whilst it is true that they should be given equitable allowances, they unlike others took oaths!
Go ahead and fire them. Where will you find replacements.for them? I say let the govt resign for having failed the people? Honestly how can there be funds to send the soccer team to europe and pay gratuities yet dont have any for a measly 1m increament? I have been in the work force for less than a year and I already earn more than ur average nurse. As for that fact finding mission around the region, it’s not even necessary. The health institutions are manned by zambians who have run away from the poor conditions in our country. In as much as nursing is not a money making venture, let us pay our nurses a decent wage. K200pin as housing allowance is a mockery.
Very few people in Zambia are getting payed what I may term good salaries. The fact that people end up in such professions as nursing as a means of making ends meet is no justification for disregarding the oaths that such professions requires of them. The nursing profession is not primarily for gain but for service though of course to be rewarded. The point however is that the nurse cant neglect his responsibillity in the line of duty. I think the fact that grz has offered something must be recommended but for them to outright reject and continue to strike says alot about them. They careless that people are dying and as herald as said, it is totally them to blame for this and not the grz.
splaka
That atitude is exactly is exactly the one the nurses are using. So many people have died already and these nurses cant hold the nation at ransom. The best way is to let those who are willing to resign to go ahead. The damage is already done, though at such a high cost. What we need is responsibillity and ownership, the last we need is irresponsible nurses who all i see are ready to kill people and use this as a channel for bargain.
Some statistics for you. The gratuity for one MP can pay 240 nurses for one month. Surely can we say our MPs are more productive than the nurses?
I think shikapwashaa thinks with the nose not the brain how dare he sound so succustic when the reasoning Simbao calm.
An increase in salaries for the nurses will inevitably be to their detriment, their union leaders know this very well. The fact is that grz can only manage upto a certain amount beyond which the spiral effects will give rise to negativity. The overall economy will be affected but how can this be explained to the nurses? The end result is that even the very increase they wish for will be swallowed by the resultant inflation. A balance must be reached which should be understood by all. In the meantime, for humanity sake, the nurses cant petend hat they care for the people when they see people die as a result of their actions.
One onders if some of these charlatans calling themselves leaders have any gray matter in their skulls, maybe Shikapwasha has his brains in his humongous nose, the brain is field with “aka bwali”.
Splaka
How many MPs do we have compared to nurses? If you compare the numbers, the money to be awarded to nuses will by far surpass the one the mps get. The nurses are in their thousands and even an increase of k50,000.00 to them far outweighs monetarywise the money mps recieve. Any increase on the civil servants salaries represents a significant portion of the budget. The people who will eventually suffer are the poorest if an unreasonable amount is offered. Inflation and its effects will quickly wipe out the apparent temporary gain.
This RB bogus govt is all but senile. Howw can you have a president who is always travelling and not up to date with what is going on? Teta Mashi and Tole Mulongoti are hopeless form 2s without any knowledge of anything other bootlicking. They are busy wiping people’s bottoms and not knowing that Zambia does NOT need such services. Kuya bebeele RB and gang. Anyway, its sad we lost LPM under trying circumstances.
Sawubona Mnumzane Shaka.
The Politicians in this case have to be firm and not give in to unreasonable demands. No matter how one looks at it, the demands of the nurses is not reasonable.
The reponsibillity to only award a certain amount to the nurses demand is infact a sign that we have some glimmer of hope. I t would be utterly irresponsible to award the 100% they are asking for. The nation will be back to uncontrollable inflation.
Coward! Why not give them an ultimatum say like if you do not report for work on such and such a day, you are fired? Calling for them to resign is cowardice at it`s best. It`s a shame they can not all resign at the same time for obvious reasons, but, it would have been great to see them do that at once.
# 20,21,22,27 & 28 WHY DONT YOU JOIN THE NURSING PROFESSION IF YOU THINK THEY DONT HAVE A HURT.MIND YOU THEY HAVE STOMACHS TO FILL UP ON A DAILY BASIS AND SHELTER TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR SOULS. KINDLY PROVIDE HOUSES FOR RENTALS IN THE RANGES OF 200PIN THEN WE WILL NOT PROBLEMS WITH THE NURSES. YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT EVEN IN ZAMBIA AT THIS INSTANT BECAUSE YOU WENT IN SEARCH OF GREENER PASTURES(MONEY) AND YET YOU WANT THE NURSES TO BE SILENT IN THE NAME OF SERVICE. THE STRIKE IN ITSELF IS NOT GOOD BUT IF THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THEY WILL BE HEARD THEN SO BE IT. INFACT RB AND CREW BOUGHT MANDA MANDAS IN ADVANCE SO THEY KNEW WHAT THOSE WERE FOR.LET THE GOVT PAY WHAT IS DUE.
Justine, those people would have died whether nurses resumed work or not. People dont die because of lack of nursing staff but because of non existent medication and equipment. The nurses will stil find these conditions of work. and people wil still die. The dead are being highlighted now because of the strikes. But I challenge you to go to Uth during the strike and after the strike and see whether there will be a noticeable difference in the number of dead people.
What is triggering the nurse to go on strike is the conduct of their leaders. when it comes to what is of interest to themselves they act with speed. It like a father who comes drunk at home when ther is no food.
The nurses are obviously right in demanding an equitable pay, but they must be aware and be responsible enough to know what is reasonable. The union leaders must be the best people toexplain this.
Kwena ci Herald ulisaka zoona. Bushe walikwata amano iwe? Wa nya makandi yobe uletola nobwapona. Ubushi akacito ako kakapwa ukanya nokunya. Don`t you have relatives who are nurses and they live in Kalingalinga iwe shetani? Kaili yalishuka if you were near kuti nakutoba amapi icinecine.
Simbao is sitting in a nice office with fresh flowers on table, what does he know about working in a nasty hospital with slave wages?
The fact is that if all nurses resign, the number of people dying will increase! But as to whether that will reflect on the govt or not is debatable. Infact, all that will happen is that the statistics of the dying will be affected. More people will die at home, straight to the mortuary than in the hospitals! Infact, they may even be turned away at the mortuaries and advised to be buried straight. The result will not be telling of the govt.
Herald I was once a union leader makaka iwe. I know what goes on in Zambia. The one being heartless is you. Lolela. When people have been taken for granted for too long, they react. JUst wait shetani iwe..
splaka says:
So in other words you are saying the number of the dead or to put it in another way, the nurses do not affect the quality of the service at hospitals BUT THE INSTRUMENTS AND THE MEDICINE? WHO OPERATES THE INSTRUMENTS AND ADMINISTERS THE MEDICINE?
#21 Ci Herald when infants died because there was no electricity your stup!d government didn`t see it as an issue. These people work under deplorable conditions reason all these government ministers go to South Africa for treatment. I remember a time when doctors went on strike for a very geniun cause and the Kafupi government fired all of them. These people were reusing suturing material stored in a chemical the west do not use any more CIDEX! Do you know how many innocent people got infected with HIV/AIDS because of this practice?
#45 can’t you read between the lines that there is no medicine and instruments in the Zambian hospitals, how long have you been away from Zambia. If a mechanic has no tools how can he fix the car. This is what fellow bloggers are trying to get accross to you. God bless Zambia.
#38 You are right. There was a time when doctors were reusing suture material. Put it in CIDEX and come and use it again on a next patient 30 minutes later. There are people who may have been infected with HIV through this practice. I remember one time going to UTH and a nurse wanted to use autoclaved gloves on my relative to do a dressing. How pathetic!
Justine, what economic theory are you using to say a pay rise wil result in inflation? And you seem to have your facts wrong. They are demanding a 25% increment and not 100% as you have put it. Now on your inflation theory. Inflation in zambia is largely determined by the exchange rate and not excess demand. Infact, our economy suffers from an acute lack of effective demand. Nurses make up a tiny %age of the population and even a 100% increment will be a drop in the ocean that is our economy. Take a look at the budget. Most expenditure is on administrative matters. Over 50% of the budget is spent on this. In any business, if management spends most of its income on administration, that is a sign of an ineffective management. For management to be considered as effective, it should spend no…
give nurses respect for the noble job they do.there is no cheap labour,everybody wants money to live a happy and decent life so you politicians are not special.most of you politicians are specialized in cheating for your own benefit.mobilize the cabinet and do the donckey work in the wards.its not easy.GOD guide us not to be fooled.Fade up
I don’t agree with what simbao has explained ,concerning building one bedroom flats for nurses ,that gives me an impression that no nurses have families to keep.what an idea .that’s a mockery to people who have devorted their time and talents to serve the nation. Even the Doctors for instance at the University Teaching Hospital ,do not have even decent rooms were they can stay when on call ,what a shame to his politicised speech ,for shikapwasha also ,let him learn to taste his bitter words before he spits them out ,the issue at hand is not a military issues ,where one is told to work and complain later as in other states .Mind you health is one of the major stance for a stable and productive Nation .
Give the Medical Personel what they derseve period.
Perhaps there is need to put mandotory Psychological testing and assements on the would leaders of our nation Zambia in this way it will help .
#45 that’s why Ministers and other influential Govt people have being going abroad for treatment because there is no medicine and equipment in the Zambian hospitals they don’t want to risk their lives, only the common Zambian should risk their life because the Govt cannot pay for him/her to be treated abroad. There is nothing wrong with our Doctors and Nurses infact there are amongst the best qualified in the whole world. If there was medicine and equipment in the hospitals coupled with good living conditions for them, Zambia would be one of the best places in the world to go to for medical treatment. People would be flying to Zambia. God bless Zambia.
Well seriously can Simbao’s wife or shika’s wife do any operation on RB’s knee stop threatening people and if zambia can not even carry out a knee surgery the minister’s got to resign. How much did it even cost tax payers for the operation. South Africa used to bomb us and now we take our knees for operation. I hope shika could have had the guts to threaten south africa in time of bombing. I bet his knee wouldn’t be attended to.
zambains let’s stop throwing mud ay buffons we just need to find solutions,the answer is 2011,kick these morons out throw a few of them in jail for good measure…………..then work to rebuild the country……….
Herald you are completely out of your head.nurses and Doctors deserve better than these govt corrupt leaders who have no hearts and caring attitude towards their own people. They bribes union leaders with millions of Kwachas such that they couldn’t fight for workers better conditions of work. Nurses and Doctors are killing patients but govt has been killing its own citizen for a long time by failing to invest in health sector for too long. Brainy of the health sector are leaving for green pasture. A simple knee operation by your clueless and visionless RB in S/ Africa. What message is he sending to his own people? God when are these brainless leaders will listen to the cries of the poor & the voiceless? These are the same pipo they talk about their liberty during elections. Im ashamed
What happens after they resign, will that help the patients? Simbao be serious and come- up with other ways of bargaining with the nurses instead of threatening then!
How do you even have knee surgery in a foreign country and nurses are on strike in your own country. Have you thought about the fact that it wouldn’t have made a difference even if the nurses wouldn’t have been on strike still RB would have had his knee tended to by maybe zambian nurses or doctors in South Africa.
I also want to know from you shika as govt. spokesman whether Godfrey Lungwangwa messed up Education Ministry or not and thereby bringing this lady and what do you promise us that she will do that the previous minister didn’t do or maybe you are now about to sale schools and she is the best in outsourcing foreign companies to assess assets. And please never move her to tourism we still would like to own the Victoria Falls and we are not interested in how much its worth.
Nurses, teachers and doctors don’t go for work till you are paid well. I always send money to help my relatives who are teachers at secondary schools with degrees. 15% means K90- 120.000 meal mealie 25KG -K45 Thousand. Personally I work in health sector and I have met very qualified people in health sector who can make a huge difference if the govt will and the people involved in dual citizen accept this. Zambia being at the centre , could have made alot of profit if the govt can invest in health sector like any other sector. Britain they make profit from foreigners.
How about switching Simbao with Dora and then and then find out how much UTH is worth, then sell it to South Africa with doras help. i bet the nurses would end up with better pay, housing and not even strike any more then dora should resign for good now and her gratuity ended by 2011. Then we can use Simbao in other ministries since we will not need any minister covering Health in zambian. It would cut cost for tax payers. we would onlyneed ambulances not special charter planes. Chiluba,Vj,Rb,sata,kunda and all zambian patients including my relatives will then enjoy the benefits of indepence by october 24th this year mind you its not even 2011 yet
Good stuff Minister of Health Simbao, but I am afraid the Minister of Information and Broadcasting LT GEN Shikapwaha who even wanted to be Zambian President by stadning as MMD presidential candidate in last year’s elections only has to say ““This is very bad, especially that nurses have failed to reason and stand on the word of the opposition. So if nurses feel they will not go back to work, they can resign now,” he said.“.
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1P 3 + KJV Bible:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in…
BA LT naimwe muli ba mawanu ,nkaya ku twitter nganifi, elo nshipontele but Herald alelanda indoti big time
How different is this “Gen. Shikapwasha said Government has spoken and it is up to the striking nurses to decide whether to go back to work or resign” and the firing of Doctors and possibly nurses by honourable PF leader Michael Chilufya Sata (Grade 2/6, unknown) then Minister of Health under the Chiluba MMMD GRZ who caused the currrent brain drain? Please, let President RB Banda issue a statement to override his Ministers’.
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1P 3 + KJV Bible:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
Maestro and Gen Shikapwasha you are the same, mulifupuba bonse very foolish indeed.
Go to South Africa you will find Zambians in Famous Private Clinics.Stupidity of Zambian politician is that no thinking when doing things.Resign if you are fed up,mind you your days are being numbered.2011 is long way to come,but i do not think if this government will reach 2011.
The gov’t ought to realise that there is no future in threats. There is need to find reach a compromise with the public service instead of playing the big bully. Meagre salaries only mean more miserable levels we have in Zambian hospitals, schools etc.
hon simbao is a man of planning and action based on plans. he has told us that he had already started a survey of nurses salaries in the region to determine the way forward. this would have to be presented to cabinet. this is how government works. no matter how reasonable their case is, it is impossible to give the nurses what they want. and hon simbao has said that he had already started addressing the issue of housing even before the strikes, although it is small it is a good start. if you look at police camps you will see that even there new houses are being constructed. that shows serious on part of government. as for the issue of resigning i would normally not support it, but for those who think that there will be no nurses in hospitals history abounds with examples…. (continued)
what will happen is that once fired they will be asked to re-apply and you can rest assured the nurses will re-apply in droves. instead of acting reasonably and negotiating with strength while at work, they weaken their case by unreasonable demands prodded on by selfish politicians, get the sack, and then they go back begging for their jobs. this has been the cycle for ever and so it will be until these poor ladies come to their senses while public goodwill is with them. this good will is finite. let a good number of us experience deaths in our loved families as a result of this strike and the goodwill will vanish into thin air, and you will come back to me with a story… bloggers are warned not to salivate at the anguish in government just because death has not visited you personally.
this is sad indeed
spaka
The issue is not that the govt is unwilling to meet their demands, there isn’t enough money to meet their demands. For govt to give them the amount asked for,govt will have to do it at a greater expense. After the nurses and Doctors, it will be the teachers and general civil servants. Let us be realistic. The fact of the matter is that the nurses and Doctors are part of the larger civil service and their profession is no greater than other professions of other civil service. The result of awarding what may be unreasonable demands will in effect negate the intended gain. The civil services is the biggest employer.
Prepare for hard times ahead
The most important thing is to be realistic. The nurses are asking for a figure far greater than could be met. A government which would give in to such demands is a govt which has no heart for the people. On the sufface, it looks as though the govt is insensitive but I trust anybody who cares enough to examine the problems at hand will understand the position taken by govt. It takes courage to do the right thing at the expense of what may be popular. The principle problems faced are nothing to do with the level of incentives or salaries for workers.
The average civil servant is asking for a bit more to meet his or her obligations at personal level whilst the planner is looking at the effect of the greater scene of an inflated budget obligations. In essence, previously what this meart was the printing of more money which was not supported or as a result of greater productivity. A good leader and economist is easily able to understand the dynamics at play. Obviously negotiations need be done but not at the expense of threatening the lives of ordinary citizens.
If the govt gives in to the unreasonable demands looking at the circumstances, the very people crying for that extra amount will suffer in the end.
do the right thing even at the expense of being looked at as insensitive is what govt has done.
I dont get what you mean Simbao
The national cake must be shared equally- MPs are going to be paid over 400 million kwacha after only working for two and a half years: These people do hardly any work compared to the work nurses, teachers and other civil servants do. If there is no money to pay the nurses what they want the MPs should sacrifice their gratuity which they don’t even deserve
Nobody should complain about brain drain. You have just told them all to migrate.
A balanced approach is required here. Public expenditure must be kept in check but mps and ministers must also be sensitive and not award themselves big salary increments – after all we are a poor country. High salary increments can lead to inflation which will have a negative effect on all Zambians but if we want public servants to perform at their best we also need to know where they are coming from. One thing that opposition mps could do to put pressure on govt is to forego their gratuities. This would put them on a higher moral ground.
REVOLUTION 2011
How on earth did we end up with such a hopeless bunch of fools as our government?
Maestro you are so nsane such that you even forget your youself. Anything you talk about will not end without mentioning Sata. Before you open up your careless mouth get the facts right. Sata improved the health sector than any minister since independence, Salaries on time , hardship and night allowances, transport, drugs, uniforms, cleaness and patients care was better. He was every corner of the country to monitory and assess what needed to be done. Beds and mattress were supplied. Medical store was able to supply drugs to all hospitals in the country. No X-ray , labs or theatres were not working. If you ask any Doctor or nurse will tell you that he was there for them. He even introduced car loans for senior Drs so that they remain in Zambia. Attack on Sata is stupidity and hate
#77 mate you are 100% right that is what we want to hear from sober minded people unlike Maestro. Nurse, teachers and Doctors deserve better than these corrupt Govt and MPs.
82 Pafwenamwine thanks for insulting me, but may you repent from your terrible behaviour before it is too late for you. On your “If you ask any Doctor or nurse will tell you that he was there for them“, 3 of my family — brother and sisters — are in the health sector working in Zambia and so save yourself that uselessness for it will not take you anywhere for I’ll using past facts and continue referring to them.
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1P 3 + KJV Bible:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
#80 i like your revolution 2011, my question to you is how is it going to be implemented when the majority of Zambians do not access the internet to hear about the Revolution 2011. The people who elected this Govt are in the rural areas and they don’t know about this revolution 2011, come 2011 they will vote the same way and bring back this Govt especially after the sugar is distributed. Mind you we only have about 870 days before the next Presidential election. Some thoughts for you. God bless Zambia
65 The Gambino thanks for insulting me, but please repent from your terrible behaviour before it is too late for you. On your “Maestro and Gen Shikapwasha you are the same“, I am really grateful for equating me to the former Zambia Airforce Commander. This may explain why Iam flying high, higher and highest on here.
Have a blessed day and may youu be delivered from the devil’s devices.
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1P 3 + KJV Bible:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
I stand to be CORRECTED here.
I think DOCTORS were fired when PROF.NKANDU LUO was then Minister of HEALTH and NOT Mr Sata.
I think SATA served as one of the BEST Ministers of HEALTH that Zambia has ever HAD if i can remember WELL.
65 The Gambino and 82 Pafwenamwine, you have sadly embarrassed Zambians especially your respective families. I just wonder whether you come from homes for you behaviour is fitting only to characters that come from unfinished structures called hats or houses. If you two were small kids I will understand that you are using the manners from compounds such as kwa-Misisi,but since you’re big, I feel sorry for (wb) children.
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1P 3 + KJV Bible:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
88 clarified on (wb) which refers to (would-be) assuming that that two sick fellows mentioned above either have or do not have children, whom they are or will infect with their insulting behaviour.
Very terrible irresponsible characters indeed as insulting people not only to GRZ officers but other creation of God also.
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1P 3 + KJV Bible:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
with no offence JUSTINE if you are in bots as your flag suggests what r u doing there? Personally most pipo I know in those places are former civil servants i.e nurses teachers and doctors so in fact those staying in zed are infact honorable than those seeking greener pastures becoz they too have the same opportunity to do the same instead are only asking for miserly 25% nurses in bots are even richer than some CEO’s in zed so pliz reserve some comments unless you can walk a mile in someones shoes
i think gratuity for mp’s should be revises becoz obviously the job is not that demanding, considering the fact that a minister can comfortably be an Mp as well as minister simply means the task is nt very demanding therefore should not be given such award i’m sure its chiluba’s policy thats about 100,0000 dollars for 2/12 years for a job not demanding i think a quarter of that is more than enough some policies should be revised n so we will have mp’s who r not just looking to cash in.
Maestro or whatever your name is,why are you so obssesed with Mr Sata.Ijust wonder what he has done to you
Do your JOB or resign leave the striking workers alone
Just stage a countrywide demo and tell the guys to resign before our economy goes ZimZim. The MMD guys are asking for an early exit, its just that people cant cant see that. Abash MMD and Chikapwasha!!!
REVOLUTION 2009 Period!!! MMD ZWA!!!!
That is a very arrogant statement. These are the same nurses you need a vote from, These people spend their hard earned money in Zambia, This nurse is someone’s mother, sister or aunt who work in terrible conditions without complaining. leadership is about negotiating and not giving arrogant statements which demoralise workers. Let me give you a few practical solutions cut costs in areas and use the money to raise the pay of nurses FOR EXAMPLE privatise the cleaning, privatise the provision of food in the hospitals to Zambian companies and cut you minister’s salarys , cars, drivers and benefits before you start telling our nurses to resign!!!!! by the way how is the Minister of Education doing has she any solutions for the education departments????
#91 i think we need to say no to MP’s Gratuity why are we paying them 100,000 ,for what work? The Gratuity should be performance based, if the MP’s have not delivered on their Campaign Promises 0 gratuity. We can’t afford to loose 150 MP’s ? x 100,000 = $15 million or more for work not done it needs to be justified.
Who do these so-called ministers think they are? I have news for these two clowns, you do not own zambia, contrarary to what you may believe. Instead of making such outlandish statements about the those poor, hardworking and dedicated nurses, why don’t you give back those hefty salary hikes, which you gave yourselves? You do not deserve any pay hikes!! By the way, what can a 15% hike do for the nurses? Nothing. As for Maureen, please do us a favor and shut your gob. Instead of you making noise, you should find it in your heart to give the money which you allegedly stole to the nurses. We are sick and tired of recyled politicians, including Dora. Clearly, there is no leadership in Zambia. Zambians, please wake up!!!
These clowns are as useless as the pigs in animal farm. They have no sense of planning and all they are doing is confusing everything. Zambia spent millions of dollars training nurses, doctors, teachers, engineers and scientists. The simplest task for any post independence govt is to maintain this skilled manpower well. What does it take to develop an illiterate like Teta or Mike Thole mulongoti? Zambia would even be better without these lap dogs who think power is power for its sake. Real power rests with people and skilled man power is at the centre of it all. Fire Teta and Mulongoti – the two most retrogressive thugs.
FIVE suspects yesterday escaped from police custody in Namwala after overpowering a lone police officer on duty.
Southern Province police commanding officer, Lemmy Kajoba and district administrative officer, Godwin Sanjase confirmed the incident.
Mr Kajoba said the suspects pretended to have been fighting, prompting the police officer to rush to the cell.
He said when the police officer opened the door to the cell, the suspects pulled him inside and locked him in before making their escape.
Mr Kajoba said the officer could not do anything as he was locked inside the cell.
But Mr Sanjase said the officer should have been alert and not to have been hoodwinked.
“It is unfortunate that the officer on duty failed to read the suspects’ mind, otherwise the escape could have…
“It is unfortunate that the officer on duty failed to read the suspects’ mind, otherwise the escape could have been prevented
The Source is of the story in #97 & 98 is ZANIS
Wiseman re-born where are you?
Dismiss them. If they think they deserve more, let them seek the highest bidder for their services.
#82 Pafwenamwine
You are naive to think that it is a Minister of Health who does such things.
Threats and intimidation are not democratic means of pursuation. Have you run out of ideas of how to forcefully but polite ask the striking nurses to resume work. Mind you they are not on a wildcut strike but a legal strike blessed by their UNION leaders who later backed out after being bribed.
The means used must always justify the end.
The death of so many people cannot be due to the strike cannot justify the 15% increameant. It could have justifiable had you not gone on strike because many lives were to be saved plus ka 15%.
The case is why the govt acted otherwise to let things go to the dogs and who is/are responsible. We demand for their resignation. Nga tapali ninshi ca wila Mathias nga mu Bibele. NI NYAMA SOYA.
People don’t shout at smart Simbao, as usual he said wisely. The one who said “Resign” was Chi Shikapwasha. That Ronnie it doen’t have to help Simbao, he can hunddle nurses by his own.
VIVA MMD VIVA MMD………LIKE I SAID RAIN OR NO RAIN RUPIAH WILL WIN THE NEXT ELECTIONS…………VIVA VIVA MMD……………THE FIRST FAMILY IS NOT AFFECTED BY YOU STRIKING JUST GET YOUR 15% AND WORK AND SAVE LIVES…………
BA TATA BARUPIAH WILL NOT ADDRESS YOU EVEN WHEN YOU GO ON STRKE….COME ON GET BACK TO WORK NOW…………………………….VIVA MMD
someone say something about ZWD i can’t access their page. thank u in advance.
NO MONEY NO WORK!!!
Iwe Simbao, uli mbushi? It’s such reasoning that has seen other countries go up in flames. And you must count yourselves very lucky to have such patient characters that you lead as a govt. Dont fool around with pipo. Lilya ifintu fyabipa elo ulefwaya uku tweba ati “You allocated funds for uniforms and that you are also planning to build houses for nurses. How long has MMD been in govt? All you know to do best with your fellow kawalalas is to steal from the poor civil servants. Don’t talk about promises you ‘ll not meet because these are some of the causes of unrest. Give the workers what is due to them. You fellas do you even have feelings for the suffering lot. Do you live in Zed? 15%? My foot!!!
65 The Gambino and 82 Pafwenamwine, just to continue where I ended last night. It is clear that your parents or guardians whoever mentored you left serious conspicous potholes in your upbringing, but don’t worry I’m willing to bridge the gap to help you be normal Zambians.
94 Lepercaun, someone said, “if you have no past, then there is no present and sadly the future can not be envisioned.” I will end here 4 you.
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1P 3 + KJV Bible:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in…
Iwe maestro! what obsession. Kanshi what has Ba Sata done to you? I want to believe you are out of Zed. Because fi you were, and had an opportunity to spend time with most health workers during the run up to the elections, most of them were for MCS because of what he did at the ministry. That is the reason why they ‘ve so much respect for the man. Don’t just harbour such hatred for the man in the name of wanting your relative to ascend to the presidency. Check your records. He may be a grade 2 but the man delivers
Useless leaders!!!!
Kapembwa Simbao, you are a shameless man to call upon strking nurses to resign. Is that what we call leadership? In fact its you who should resigncoz of financial scum has taken place at your Ministry. You have never come out in the open to make a statement. When at works and supply, what happened to Mongu-Kalabo Road. Millions of Dollars went to waste poor road construction by your friends and the chinese and you got away with it. Mid term graduity will be paid to all MPs coz there is an element of zi mbongo I have not heard any MP commenting on it. Even the most talkertive like Given Mulato, Kibombamilimo, Shakas, Teta, Matongo, Saki, BY, Kakoma, Kambwili, Chishimba, Machungwa, Kasongo, Mushili, Nkombo etc. These MPs are of same color what separates them names MMD,PF,UPND, VERY GREEDY
Even chi Guy Scot, Jean Kapata, Mumbi, Eliza Chitika, Pande, Bonshe mention them the list is endless. No matter what blogg on deverting or suspending Grand Graduity Payment to MPs they are set to get it. Remember last year despite the global economic melt down here GRZ awarded MPS etc a huge increment. The men and women we elect to parliament are there to amke money for themselves. Its better for a dog to bite a goat not the opposite. Its about animal farm. Some animals are more animal than others. This is the country we live in. I admire those living ABROAD. Here Chimbwe no plan. its about slagons and strikes day day out. Wish all the Bloggers the best. Meatime I am going to Best Home Lodge to book for a seminer for MPs on how to use their Mid Term Graduities. Thats how it goes per Zed.
94 Lepercaun and 115 UMUNTU, you seem to be one person and so I will not easte my time any more with you for I wrote you “if you have no past, then there is no present and sadly the future can not be envisioned.” I am out of Zambia but this does not mean that I was not there when Sata (Sub B/Standard 4) was Minister of Local Government and Housing, and Health.
Have a good day and ask others on his past working.
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1P 3 + KJV Bible:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in…
Mr Simbao, next time you feel double incontinent please dont just open your bowels,please find somewhere away from the public. Think before you bup!
Okay Here are some more practical solutions where the goverment can make a difference 1) Keep the budget stable by outsourcing cleaning and food supply this creates competition, removes cost of management 2) Make nurses wear scrubs instead of those expensive uniforms all other western countries are doing that and it is more hygenic 3) Apart from adding the 15% increase to wages lower the taxes on doctors, nurses and teachers this will leave them with more money to spend. We can not afford to lose these skilled workers to other countries Zed invested in their training and needs them. Make student doctors and nurses work a free 24 hour shift in hospitals or schools every two weeks in things like cleaning, teaching, reception or administration for free. Give back free education:)
MP Mukanga has appealed to Fellow MPs to delay the gratuity until the current strikes are resolved. I hope my friend Kapembwa will do it since he thinks man can live on peanut pay.
what are the minimum academic qualifiacations to become an MP or minister? some politicians have never been to school so it is very difficult for them to appreciate professionals like doctors and nurses. i think it is the GRZ that should resign and not the nurses because it is the GRZ who have failed. we need to have minimum education levels among the MPs and ministers may be they will start respecting FWEBAMANO who have passed an exam of one form or another. so instead of asking the nurses to resign let the entire MMD Govt resign and call for fresh elections coz they have failed
2-0 to the nurses! chaps have no money to pay u but they got money for their gratuities and new Nisan Patrols, Pathfinders and Navaras. This govt is HOPELESS!
Get lost Simbao, uka ya bomba ko?
123 mwanguni greetings. On your “what are the minimum academic qualifiacations to become an MP or minister?“Check Article 64 of the ’96 Constitution of Zambia for: a)he is a citizen of Zambia, b)he has attained the age of 21 years, c) he is literate and conversant with the official language.
Sadly, “literate” has not been exactly quantified and this is why you will find From 2s and may be lower our our Parliament now.
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1P 3 + KJV Bible:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in…
To all qualified nurses who would like a change, my friends and I recruit for the NHS worlwide. We are aware of the situatioin and we will take advantage of it, look out for International Nursing Agencies (INA) in Kitwe, Ndola and Lusaka in a few weeks/months time. Come and register in order to get out of your misery. In the meantime sort out your passports, no need to go through complicated means of comming to uk the Agencies will deal with that. We are very short of nurses in the UK and it is an ongoing problem.
This is the type of leadership we do not need a country like Zambia, There is not way a nurse or Doctor would continue striking if there is an agreement reached, To you Ronnie We Chinkula Shikapwasha, For once behave like a father, not a corporal or a carder on the street who is advocating for mediocrity affairs, I wonder why you chaps are even appointed and what criteria is used to be appointed, any way knowing Lupiya Clown Bwezani Chinyawu Banda is just as dull as all you useless ministers who have no idea on management principals. your time as come to pack and go ba Mumbwe!