Health workers in Zimbabwe dismayed as law curbing strikes is passed

Controversial bill to stop industrial action criticised as an already struggling sector fears losing more staff in a damaging brain drain

Zimbabwe’s health workers have criticised the government for passing contested legislation that outlaws any industrial action, saying it will worsen the sector’s already damaging brain drain.

The new Health Services Bill, which came into force on Tuesday, forbids health workers who are classified as an “essential” service from striking for more than three days. Those who do not comply face a fine or imprisonment of up to six months.