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Harare Bureau

Government workers in the health sector received their delayed annual bonuses yesterday.

Zimbabwe Nurses Association chairperson Enock Dongo said yesterday it was commendable that 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. Indeed, it has been delayed, but it’s 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. We’re 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 our Harare Bureau 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 from the festive season.

The 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.