Striking nurses and other health workers at the University Teaching Hospital, UTH, have given government a two-week ultimatum in which to address their demands.
The workers have vowed to continue with the strike until government pays them improved risk, night duty, Uniform, and housing allowances among other demands.
They accused government of neglecting their plight of working up to 78 hours per week when ministers are getting huge salaries and allowances.
The workers issued the ultimatum when Labour Minister Austin Liato addressed them at UTH this afternoon.
The irate health workers, who displayed placards denouncing the effort by Labour Minister to address them, said they will not succumb to any form of intimidation by government.[quote]
Zambia Congress of Trade Union, ZCTU, President, Leonard Hikaumba, who sympathised with the nurses advised government to desist from evacuating ministers to South Africa for medical treatment because the measure was compounding the problem in the health sector.
“We demand equal treatment in the distribution of health care facilities with those in south Africa because nurses at UTH are working under difficulty situations. We see senior government officials being flown outside for medical treatment when that money can be used to purchase the needed equipment, where is the fairness?”, Mr. Hikaumba wondered.
Mr. Hikaumba advised the nurses to remain united as ZCTU is working with the Zambia Union of Nurses Organisation, ZUNO, to pressurize government to improve conditions of service for public health workers.
He said the 15 per cent salary increment awarded to the nurses was done in good faith and dismissed claims that government bribed the labour leaders to settle for a ‘meagre’ 15 per cent salary increment.
He urged the health workers to go back to work because if they continued with the strike action, government would take advantage and weaken the solidarity in speaking with one strong voice through their reputable union, ZUNO.
But in response, Labour and Social Services Minister, Mr Liato urged the nurses to go back to work as their plight has been heard.
Mr. Liato, a former labour movement leader of the Energy and Allied Workers’ Union said negotiations for bargaining cannot be done in a short period of time but government acts when communicated to through labour union leaders.
He added that President, Rupiah Banda, has been in office for only nine months and pleaded that government be given enough time to address the concerns of the workers.
“Go back to work then the negotiation will go smoothly because government cannot start bargaining when workers are away. Government has heard from your side and so hear our side also. Allow the bargaining process to start because no-one is interested in trivialising this matter be it government or union leaders. As government we are addressing the strike with the urgency it deserves,” assured Mr. Liato.
ZANIS
Bing it on !
I meant bring it on. ne fintu fine .
Stand your grounds for better pay.
sO WHAT IF HE HAS BEEN IN POWER FOR 9 MONTHS . HOW MANY USELESS TRIPS HAS HE MADE ., USING TAX PAYER’S MONEY . HE HAS ALSO HAD HIS OLD TIRED KNEES REPAIRED-THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR INEFICIENCY
Soneone from GRZ must put his or her head on the line as an assuarance. We need a good health system.
It`s sad these people have no option but to go back because this government knows they won`t be able to get other jobs. Would government fire all of them if they didn`t go back to work? By the way if all nurses stayed away and put their feet down, what happens then?
“They accused government of neglecting their plight of working up to 178 hours per week when ministers are getting huge salaries and allowances”. Is it possible for one to do these hours in a week people?
stand for your rights
It is a shame that our nurses have to ask for uniform allowance from govt. I thought it was automatic for them to receive such allowances. If govt has no money for uniform allowance for our nurses, how can they even have money for hospital equipment? So, where does govt spend its tax payers’ ? Clearly, we need new leadership in Zambia. RB has nothing to offer for this country, he is just a seat warmer at plot 1! The whole country is sinking before his eyes.
The nurses should be given what they are asking for, they deserve it. My heart goes to poor Zambians who cannot fly to SA when they are ill.
I think only a revolution can change our beloved Zed. The solutions to these problems are not far away. A soft approach will never change our country… not at this moment!!!
Ba LT even if one did 24/7 it`s not possible to do 178hours per week. But then again, anything is possible in Zambia.
I hope this govt of plunders and corrupt gluttons who steal in day light have seen and heard the demands of these committed and hard working nurses. Nurses your passion to care is second to none it is this corrupt govt that is killing women and children for failure to invest in the health sector since 1990. 9 months is enough to make a difference he keeps on escaping meanful problems by trotting the entire Africa as if he is the only president on the continent. Does he care? Not at all, RB is always getting on a wrong side. He is not the president of the people but bootlickers the likes of teta , Shikapwasha& mupo. Does he has advisors? No, the they tell him whats he wants to hear coz he is a failed leader. Do’nt report for work till your demands are met. They look for lies b4 6hrs.
Let Thandie, Vera and Maureen train as a nurses – Good for nothing plunderers
If you can imagine what nurses and doctors have to deal with on a daily basis, they must be better paid in the nation. This way we can attract more young people to join the profession and also encourage establishment of privately owned health centers to employ the graduates. As it is right now with theft cases going on in the Ministry of Health and others, it does not make sense for the nurse’s complaints to be ignored. If it means taking funds from other ministries, let’s do that. The bottom line is that we must all work hard and be accountable. If your work mate is doing something unethical, report it if they are not able to listen to your good advice.
3RqU…. I have a feeling they managed to add some extra hours in the week.. it is Zambia.. So it is possible.
Hi #13, your name has attracted me. Are a software developer ? that is my area.
PLEASE NURSES,DO NOT GO BACK TO WORK UNTILL YOU GET WHAT IS DUE TO YOU.THE FIRST THING THE RB CABINET DID WHEN THEY CAME TO POWER WAS INCREASE THEIR PAY.NOW IS YOUR TIME!
Thank you nurses for not succumbing to threats! way to go.
maybe its time for this government to sell UTH to a foreign investor…since we seem to believe so much in foreign investors than our own locals.Shame on the current goverment that they do not realise the efficiency of a healthy system and have not seem the sacrifices that these workers have been making since independence.Something must be done..and it must be now
elo lwanya….someone’s gona resign
#14 Ciroc LT have corrected their error. No apology or anything like that. From 178 hrs it`s now 78 hrs. To be honest even 78 hrs a week is quite a lot.
Being in power for 9 months is no excuse for slacking.RB better be realistic about things.He should have been ready for the task at hand ages ago. i’m glad the nurses are putting up a good fight.Some things never change huh?if ur clueless about what ur doing,you’ll always be clueless.gosh!!!
Give these nurses a repectable pay and for heavens sake lets rehabilate UTH NOW!
STOP sending so called leaders overseas NOW! Hikaumba I have been singing that song a long time,we have to stop these medical trips and use the money for local health facilities and “manpower”.
BUSHE AYA AMA 400 MILION BALI ILIPILA AMA MINISTER ABASHIBOMBA. NSHILI PAZED NDIMUFYALO??
he has been in POWER FOR NINE MONTHS HOW LOOONG WOW BIG UPS TO ZAMBIANS FOR ENDURANCE BUT LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED. A PRESIDENT SHOULD COME IN WITH GAME PLAN AND START IMPLEMENTING IT FROM DAY ONE THATS THE PROBLEM WHEN SOMEONE JUST SPENDS TIME CAMPAINING WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IT IS THEY ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO DELIVER TO PIPO, LESSON TO ALL ZAMBIANS #18 THE GOVT CAN’T SELL THE HOSPITAL TO FOREIGNERS, IT HAS A RESPONSIBLILITY TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE TO ALL AT AFFORDABLE PRICES, FOREIGNERS ITS JUST BUSINESS, NO WAY! JUST PUT IN A GOVT THAT CAN FUFIL THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES
what about the mobile hospitas??. Have they now stoped talking about them. What has gone wrong now that the so much cherished mobile hospitals has just goneout of picture. We need to know. Have you now realised that you are failing to run the current structures. We told you that …
For the lost man hours Government should deduct from the strikers’s pay.Government should also consider putting these people on wage-hourly pay and performance incentives.Lastly and most important, GRZ must avoid the temptation of printing money to appease these strikers if they have to keep sound monetary and fiscal discipline.Identify a few resplaceable ringleaders and get them replaced systematically with Military medics from all country wide defense health centers.Let Maina soko serve UTA.Those who want more than what GRZ can afford should be forced to enter the job market and get employed at the early elect PF/UPND-PACT untill a miracle for that dream comes to pass.
We need a Chinese investor at UTH, may be things will improve.
Liato is clearly too fat to think. How can he say, we have now heard and the bargaining process will start when some other fat cat yesterday told the nurses that they either accept 15% or resign. These fat cats think they are dealing with kids, yah. In the 21st century even kids know more than Liato and his team of fat cats. Did Liato ever learn that obesity is health hazard and that he is very much at risk unless he checks his bio-mass? These fat cats never learn but all signs are clear, kuya bebeele with all those undeserved appointments of party cadres and other bootlickers, RB has sealed his fate. When the Cobra stands up, RB will be history I can tell you. he is too old and sleepy for any good governance. People are stealing while he is sleeping and Teta, the mouse is busy soothsaying
What is UTA kolokombwa? K450million is nothing for you to give mid gratuity for one person, sadist..
Don’t back down. What you choose is what you get and what you get is what you achieve. Zambia has enormous resources but the people are impoverished.
Nurses tell the Govt to start giving you house loans or ask them to start buliding houses for you then you get them on morgage they have been eating amasuku on top of your heads fight hard dont relax, strike the rod while its still hot.
#28. The Intelligentia iwe too fat is the worst i n s u l t one would ever want to be called. But, Zambians will tell you ni gudu milile! Look at fat Liato!
Things will never be OK back home until there is equal distribution of wealth. Someone is always taking too much while the others have none. The nurses should continue to put up resistance and strike until they get what they deserve!
#26 take a walk in the zambian nurses shoes then u can condemn pliz armchair critics are soooo Cliche, get over yourself .#29 Tumelo $100,000 is nothing if u work hard for it ya? now imagine the nurses who put in up to 12-14 hours on some days n gets less than 10,000 a year, n an mp who visits his constituency when its close to election time n clears a few roads ON GOVT BUDGET, n tell me why he is deserving of that $100,000???
Kolokombwa, K450 million is alot of money to be paid for doing nothing.Nurses keep the flame burning until you get something reasonable.Only people who dont understand understand what you go thru who cannot support you.
This is disturbing…just found out doctors and nurses only get $300 to $400 per month. Is this true???Surely, this is not right . Does Zambia realise what an asset these people are to our country and what sacrifice they are making to work for us in Zambia. This is where the brain drain hits Zambia everyone needs to survive you end up chasing all these valuable people to other countries when we need them. They should be one of the most highly paid sectors in the country. Even a toilet cleaner in a western country gets over a $1000 per month. These people pay taxes , bills and have families. Their money stimulates the Zambian economy
To kill a snake you must strike the head. it is true but there seem to ba a sreious smoke screen here and the nurses are just swinging blind. LT members are busy pointing fingers here and there all to the most visible part of the snake, not the head. Who do you think makes all these trips possible? who has been in this systemm more than even whe most experienced politician? who is it – when shit hits the fan- that simply cowers into the corners and act like they didn’t know anything? Its the bosses within the system, you want any real change, stop blaming the ministers and put the blame squarely on the shoulders of bureaucrats. they control where the money goes, they are the ones that creat foolish seminars and action groups consuming the same money that is meant for the “mistreated…
Ministers and MPs will always come and go.but the machinary of government shall stand as it is until I do something about it. it is this very system that fails to heed the very people that keep it running. I know that Zambia has a very good crop of finger pointers, the “christian nation” my foot.we talk of corruption when it is obvious that it is rampant at all levels, but the laws of proportion will just make the thefts made by people with more money seem more damaging. but I bet you that if you take into account all that is stolen by every civil servant from the office orderly to the PS can you imagine how much this all adds up to? Even Xavier will blush at the amount. You all love projecting the blame to where it will sit most comfortably in your eyes. THOU SHALT NOT STEAL…
Fight for your rights my dear Nurses .we need to share the resources equally .To say Banda R. has been in goverment only for nine months is not an excuse .Give the nurses what belongs to them ,I also sympathise with the Police for very poor conditions .We need a Saviour to liberate Zambia .
Abantu bachula pafula .
Mulesubako deodorant esp if u will be rising ur hands sweating
Watch Banda capitulate on this issue of nurses. If I recall very well, it was one of the issues that brought KK down. It’s the same one that irreparably damaged Kafupi and the third term bid was but just the last nail in the coffin. If Akulu Mphuno does not wake up, he will be history much sooner than later. Though one has to sympathise with the man, why did he sorround himself with so much dead wood and damaged goods like Dora, Tea, Mlongoti, Shikapwasha etc? Well, maybe dead wood rests among its kind!
RIGHT ON HEALTH WORKERS ! THESE THIEVES WILL NEVER IMPROVE HOSPITALS OR ATTEND TO YOUR PLIGHT AS LONG AS THEY CONTINUE GOING OUT FOR SIMPLE KNEE SURGERY AND FLUES. DOES IT MEAN WE DONT HAVE ORTHOPEADIC SURGEONS IN ZAMBIA! HIKAUMBA KEEP THE PRESSURE ON! EQUAL HEALTH CARE FOR ALL ZAMBIANS!
Why nurses ONLY???? All civil servants should give RB and his sleepy govt 26 hours ultimutum. That 2 weeks you are asking is for referundum leading to early elections in 3 months. What kind of constitutions do you follow you nurses? You have rights on earth, you deal with our lives. Let them have heart attacks they will be rushed to RSA.
Ba #7: Its not 178 hours per week but 78 hours per week which is possible. I know you are MMD who is against the nurses strike because your father or your relatives in govt to steal all the money. Takuli this time.
Nine months i a lot of time, probation is only 3-6 months. No company would listen to any non performer who says they have only worked for 9 months therefore they have nothing to show for it. Zambia is like a company and we need to see productivity no excuses.
# 42 New Zambia you are right RB is just are failure and its very dissapointing for someone to give this excuse. Zambia need change before its worse.
Look at Obama his opponent Macain was pleasing based on his five month stay how about RB with nine months what has the oposition done criticise him
I like this pressure from the Nurses. Good, go on and demand what you deserve! But what happened to the TEACHERS? Are they back to work and happy with the 15% peanuts? Ba Teacher umwenso and ukupwalala. Pa Zambia ni sebana wikute! Ba Teacher why did they accept?
# 7 AND # 10 where did you get the 178 hours?the report qoutes 78 hours and this is true because that comes to 11 hours.the are instances when one nurse is supposed to knock off at 13 hours after entering the shift at 06 hrs,but in some instances they go up 18 hrs.let us sympathiese with them but the nurses should seek forgiviness for the innocent deaths that have being recorded all in the interest of bread and butter.
WHO IS AN ESSENTIAL WORKER?IF DOCTORS AND NURSES ARE NOT.honest anwers plese
#41 Ubuntungwa stop saying things you do not know about. Initially it said 178hrs per week. Then LT corrected it. Have a look at my posts above. This obviously tells me you don`t read before you post.
Its time for revolution. REVOLUTION 2011
Where is the ZUNO president. Thom Yungana? Why should Liato address nurses? I think let Liato talk to the Zuno president and in turn this Zuno president should address his nurses.
Iwe #46 Learn to read before you say anything. Look at posts #7, 10, 14 and 20. Unless you can not comprehend. LT initially said 178 hours per week. The post in #7 was straight cut and paste from free. Why do Zambians like shooting the messenger? Let me bring him down mentallity lyonse. I am very much on the nurses side. I have a sister and cousin who are nurses back home and they do not work for the government yet I feel what they get is still not enough for the work they do.
Oops! Cut and paste from here!
greetings bloggers, from the look of the flags its very clear most of us are abroad. blaming the government and sympathizing with the poor zambians isnt the way forward. its a shame that a sane man can even suggest we bring in foreign investors. how bout our selves abroad? what are we doing for our country? why cant we invest the money we making outside in our own country? Think about, It starts with you first then government will follow. One Zambia One Nation.
#7 if you work 8 days a week yes.
Zambians , its time we paved way for new Zambia where every Zambian had an equal share of the National cake. Its time all Zambians either went to UTH or SA for medication. Not only the selfish few to take whole the national cake leaving the hard working majority Zambians in poverty. Let us rise up and match for freedom. Let us shout the cry of liberation, let us go for revolution. REVOLUTION 2011.
It is pathetic to see how our well trained medical practitioners suffer in the government health institutions. And these are the same people, when they are in Diaspora, who treat and take good care of the evacuated ministers.
There is just too much misdirection of funds and selfishness in Zed. For instance even up to now, despite so many vague explanations, I have never understood why the electricity tariff is very high back home.
Ubuntungwa mu Zambia: you promised to send me some digits, what happened kaili?
Sata is quiet because he too went to SA for treatment!
Iam behind you workers mwandini cacilamo.
IF I WAS NOT EVACUATED TO RSA….I COULD HAVE BEEN HISTORY. 6FT …NISHANI IMWE AMA NESI U WANTED MI TO DIE THEN WHO IS GOING TO BE YOUR NEXT HE….
WE NEED THE PRESIDENT TO SHOW RESPONSIBILITY TO THE NATION BY MEETING THE NURSES AND DISCUSS WITH THEM AS A PARENT. HE HAS BECOME OR HE HAS DECIDED TO BE MUTE WHY
go go Health Workers, but pliz remember tht the more u r delaying solving these matters yoselves,your relatives,our relatives,children and parents are dying in hosptitals,pliz ba Government resolve this issue.
#52 Whatever individuals do, there are certain things which just have to be done by government. You can make your little hospitals however you want but the reality is government has to play a part somehow.
What the Zambian health system needs at the moment is investment in equipment and instruments and a better salary for a nurse and doctor. Hospitals are there already, nurses and doctors. These people in government nip to SA only because they can not buy these things.
ZCCM had a number of divisions but only managed to buy one CT scanner and stationed it in Kitwe which was a bit central. These things cost money but if you have to keep up with development, I am afraid you have to spend. Unless you are Kapoko, very few if not zero people would invest in the health system back home
60.CHCHBM .
You are right that’s what the president should do than to be mute.Iam sure even the nurses and other healthy workers will feel great to be addressed even if the their demands are not met.manje kunkala ziiii shows that our leader has nore concern for the pipo who are in need of treatment.
3RqU
Mwalanda Mudala kwati ni king solomon wisdom.I agree with you boss fyonse ifyo mulandile.
Go girls and boys! Its high time GRZ played a fair card. These government officials are leaving high standard while general people suffer from their incompetence……awe
People of Zed, we want change and that change should be now otherwise we shall regret. Lets put a vote of no confidence in this gvmt before things get worse. How does one explain the health workers strikes, it has been on for over a month and after damages have been made, then this Liato minister comes and say RB has only been in the GVt for 9 months. So what Mr Minister?
Good analysis indeedon “Zambia Congress of Trade Union, ZCTU, President, Leonard Hikaumba, who sympathised with the nurses advised government to desist from evacuating ministers to South Africa for medical treatment because the measure was compounding the problem in the health sector“, for I like this one.
Let us be fair MMD GRZ and equip UTH and other hospitals for the better. Let us give all health woekers motivation to work hard.
__
Sokwe Kaamuleya Katabi.
The Gov must stop the trips they make going to SA for treatment and imporove the conditions in Zed, this is the only way they will increase nurses and Docs pay, they can also improve their work condititons.
Just by looking at this pic of the nurses , it shows that they will not back down, and they must not , Go on Girls , show some girl power to these stupid men.
Matworld atishani kaili. Ulice? I am alright.
Meant #55 in 65 not #52. Sorry #52.
The reason why the Ministers and other Apamwambas go to RSA for treatment is because they know that UTH is substandard. they increase their salaries when they feel like and the even get mid term gratuity for a contract period of only 5 years and yet a civil servant works for over 25 years, after which they wait to be paid their merger pension. until your demands are met please continue with the strike. Ba teacher you are such a disappointment.
YOU DESERVE NOT ONLY BETTER PAY AND CONDITIONS, BUT RESPECT AS YOU ARE RESPECTED OUTSIDE YOUR OWN COUNTRY. NURSES AND DOCTORS HAVE BEEN WORKING EVEN BEFORE THE BIRTH OF ZAMBIA. SO, FOR RB TO COME AND START INCREASING HIS SALARY EVEN BEFORE HE WORK AND WE SEE THAT HE HAS WORKED IS PLAIN S.T.U.P.ID.
From postZ, “President Rupiah Banda is tomorrow morning (Wednesday, June 24) scheduled to hold a press conference at State House.”
WHY NOT THE NURSES AND DOCTORS +?
Some say the ministers gave themselves a sallary increment imediately they came into power. If you are fair and honest you will agree that the politicians limited their salary increment to the exact same amount that was given to the civil servants. Can we debate fairly and truthfully? Would it be wrong for ministers after these negotiations to also get 15%?
#78 Ba Legal Eagle, let us consider 15% of what? 15% of K10,000,000 which is equal to K1,500,000 for at minister’s income exclusive of all the allowances and insentives; housing, transport, fuel etc, for a civil servant 15% of K1,000,000 is K150,000 inclusive of all insentives. please let us be fair. mind you they just volunteered to work for the nation, but it looks like they actually employed for that job. Respond.
atase. those nurses look very healthy..might as well give our football players a pay increase anda free bag of beans every month