With Zimbabwean doctors and nurses, teachers and other civil servants pressing the Harare government for huge wage concessions to offset hyperinflation, economists say such demands are not realistic however understandable they may be.
Economic consultant Daniel Ndlela said it is unacceptable for doctors and nurses to earn barely $US100 a month, but unfortunately that is the economic reality. Doctors and teachers now making less than Z$200,000 a month or about US$60 want the government to increase their monthly wages 15-fold to Z$3 million.
Ndlela told reporter Ndimyake Mwakalyelye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that the blame for their plight lies with the government, which has been fueling inflation with over-the-top spending and printing of money to meet current cash needs.