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Susan Nyabunze Herald Reporter
Government workers in the health sector received their delayed annual bonuses yesterday, averting a strike that had been mooted by nurses over the non-payment of the money. Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa had promised the health workers that they were to receive their 13th cheque by this time. Zimbabwe Nurses Association chairperson Mr Enock Dongo said in an interview yesterday that it was commendable that the Government had honoured its obligation despite economic challenges it was facing.

“Nurses are very happy considering that everyone knows Government is struggling to get the money,” he said. “Indeed, it has been delayed, but it is better delayed than never.”

Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association secretary general Dr Farai Makoni said although they had received their bonuses, doctors wanted the Government to honour outstanding allowances from last year.

“An addition to one’s pocket is always welcome and makes one happy,” he said. “We are still waiting for the Government to rectify the arrears in allowances as we agreed after our strike in November. They said they would start making the corrections this January.”

Dr Makoni said negotiations on salary increments were still pending for the doctors.

Some nurses interviewed by The Herald said they had already accumulated debts in anticipation of the bonus.

Others said while the delay in bonus payments had inconvenienced them, it came at the right time when they were just coming from the festive season.

Government staggered the payment of bonuses to its workers, with those in the security sector receiving their 13th cheque last year.

Teachers, who had threatened to strike if they were not paid the annual bonuses received theirs last week, just in time for the opening of the 2015 first school term on Tuesday.