Parliament’s health committee is set to engage its line ministry over threats of an impending stay –away by Health Surveillance Assistants [HSAs].

The threat follows failure by the authorities to implement the Ombudsman’s directive to issue new contracts to about five thousands HSAs employed in 2007 under the Global fund.

Since the public protector’s directive last November the government has failed to define the conditions of services let alone pay any benefits to all assistants.

Annoyed by the lack of action, the HSAs last week notified the authorities of their attention to go on strike beginning Monday 12 April until their grievances are solved.

However, Chairperson of the committee Mathews Ngwale explained that although the matter has not been officially brought to their attention the legislators are ready to be part of the solution to the HSAs concerns.