Zimbabwe Professional Nurses Union (ZPNU) president, Robert Chiduku, says he will appeal against his dismissal.
Chiduku, who was based at Gweru Provincial Hospital, was fired last week for conducting union business at work without the consent of the employer. He said:
I was dismissed with immediate effect and the accusation was that I used government premises without consent to conduct union business.
We are going to appeal in terms of that judgment in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe we are going to launch an appeal.
I feel abandoned by the employers, I didn’t expect it because we had raised our grievances procedurally.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Japhet Moyo condemned Chiduku’s sacking and vowed to fight for his reinstatement. Said Moyo:
Chiduku has a right to belong to a union, Chiduku has a right to be elected and represent workers, and he has a right in terms of the law to participate in the activities of the association he belongs to.
The country’s constitution provides for that. So this is a fight that we will mount until Chiduku is returned to back work.
HSB has also targeted over 200 nurses countrywide for disciplinary action after nurses at most public hospitals embarked on strike action in June demanding better salaries.
More: NewZimbabwe.com