Parirenyatwa nurses strike over low pay, rising cost of living in Zimbabwe

Healthcare workers on strike in Harare

HARARE, ZIMBABWE – Nurses at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals went on strike on Monday, 23 March 2026, demanding urgent salary reviews and improved working conditions as Zimbabwe’s cost of living continues to rise. The industrial action comes amid growing pressure on the public health sector, with nurses saying their current earnings no longer cover basic needs.

Nurses involved in the strike said their salaries, estimated at around US$450 per month, paid in a mix of US dollars and ZiG, have been eroded by inflation and rising transport costs.

“We are earning peanuts while everything else is going up,” one striking nurse said outside the hospital.

Health workers are demanding a transport allowance, arguing that commuting has become increasingly unaffordable, particularly after recent fuel price increases. They also rejected transport provided by the Public Service Commission (PSC), saying the buses do not align with shift schedules.

Beyond salaries, nurses are calling for:

• Free medical care at public hospitals

• Increased housing allowances to match rising rentals

• Improved provision of uniforms

Some nurses said they are unable to afford healthcare themselves, despite working in the public health system.

“We can’t even afford treatment at the hospitals we work in,” another nurse said.

Uniform shortages have also become symbolic of deeper systemic challenges, with staff saying worn-out attire reflects underfunding rather than a lack of professionalism. The latest action comes days after nurses at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, formerly Harare Hospital, briefly went on strike over similar concerns. During that protest, nurses held placards and sang outside the hospital, demanding salary adjustments in line with the rising cost of living.

Healthcare analysts say the strike highlights broader challenges facing Zimbabwe’s public health sector, including low wages, staff shortages, and rising operational costs.

“The combination of inflation, currency instability, and fuel price increases is putting immense pressure on frontline workers,” said a Harare-based health policy expert.

The strike is expected to disrupt services at one of Zimbabwe’s largest referral hospitals, raising concerns about access to care for patients relying on public healthcare. Authorities had not immediately commented on the strike at the time of publication.

Parirenyatwa nurses strike