They say they have not been paid since January this year, saying life is unbearable.

“Imagine working without pay for three months; some of us have been chased by our landlords because we are failing to pay rentals. Closing the gates was part of the strike to let our management know that we are not happy.

The company’s director, Alexander Mwase, said the development is a result of non-payment by their client.

“I just received a call this morning that the guards have sealed the hospital gates and I rushed here. I have talked to them that our client is processing the payment and everything will be fine by Wednesday this week,” he said.

He acknowledged that the company owes the guards who are about 140 over 3 million Kwacha in salaries.

He negotiated with the disgruntled guards who agreed to go back to their work pending payment on Wednesday.

About a unit of police officers were deployed in the hospital premises to ensure order.