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Ellen Chasokela Herald Reporter
Harare Municipal medical staff are expected back at work by today following a cushioning allowance and salary increase that has been offered by the city effective from  November 1.

Council human resources committee chairperson Jacob Mafume confirmed the development last week, saying as a result, the least-paid worker will be getting $1 108 a month effective November 1.

The least-paid employee is expected to get at least $1 100, up from $300.

Harare City Council Health Services director Dr Prosper Chonzi said 50 percent had reported for duty from about 29 percent since the strike started.

“It a 50/50 situation today but we expect that by Monday all the workers would have reported for work. Services have not normalised yet, but once we have a full complement by Monday all things will get back to normal.”

“Currently all the council clinics are functional during the day and only six will remain functioning after 1800hours and those are Rutsanana, Mabvuku, Hatcliffe, Kuwadzana, Highfields and Edith Opperman,’’ said Dr Chonzi.

However, those that are not reporting for work will only receive salaries for the days they would have reported for duty.

The nurses went on strike on 4 November citing incapacitation, with only a handful reporting for work at most local authority owned clinics.

This has been a big blow to the health sector considering the current withdrawal of services by doctors at central hospitals.