HARARE, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwe government on Tuesday appealed to striking nurses to return to work to avoid unnecessary loss of life.
Health and Child Care Minister David Parirenyatwa said it was also important that nurses be on duty as the nation celebrates the independence holiday, which is usually associated with high road accidents.
Zimbabwe celebrates its 38th independence anniversary on Wednesday.
"Government thus appeals to the striking nurses to call off their actions to make way for harmonious industrial relations," Parirenyatwa was quoted as saying by the state-run New Ziana news agency.
"This is even more urgent in view of the high mobility in the country related to the impending independence holiday period," the minister said.
Parirenyatwa warned that following the appeal, all nurses assigned for duty should report to work, failure of which they would be "deemed to be in breach of contract and thus deserving of appropriate disciplinary action."
Nurses at public hospitals around the country went on strike on Monday after their 14-day ultimatum expired on Sunday.
The nurses are demanding higher pay and better working conditions.
The strike by the nurses comes on the heels of a similar industrial action by doctors last month, also demanding better pay and working conditions.
