Caregivers protest during NCOP visit
WAITING: Caregivers waited for the newly appointed HOD for Health, Stephen Jonkers, to address them outside the Galeshewe Day Hospital yesterday. CAREGIVERS staged a protest to “highlight their plight” during an oversight visit by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) at the Galeshewe Day Hospital yesterday.
Members of the South African Liberated Public Service Workers Union (Salipswu) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) complained about poor working conditions, the non-payment of stipends and their wish to be permanently employed at the Department of Health.
Caregivers from Galeshewe Day Hospital, Betty Gaetsewe Clinic and Masakhane Clinic also expressed their unhappiness over constant payment problems.
“We decided to come here during the NCOP visit to highlight our plight as we have been struggling since 2016 without any intervention. We have not received our stipends of R1 500 for the past two months. The R5 increment is an insult. The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that we are employed by, are paid by the Department of Health and yet we are not receiving our dues. They must do away with the middle men,” the caregivers said.
The provincial deputy chairperson of Salipswu, Daniel Moleti, said that they were tired of empty promises.
“The department keeps telling us that the national Department of Health is sorting out the problems. We issued the department with a notice to embark on an indefinite full-blown strike. Patients were unable to obtain their prescription medication and the longer the strike action continues, the bigger the ramifications will be for patients,” said Moleti.
He indicated that the union had rejected a contract that was presented to it on Tuesday.
“It appears to be the existing contract between the NGOs and the caregivers. We sent it back to be amended as payment is not clearly stipulated. None of the members signed the contracts.”
Moleti added that the union wanted to personally meet with the newly appointed HOD for Health, Stephen Jonkers, but they were met by the acting HOD and chief financial officer at the hospital yesterday.
“We were told that Jonkers was in Pretoria attending to other business. The union resolved that all caregivers will embark on a go-slow until a meeting is secured with the HOD. A decision regarding further strike action will be made following the meeting.”
He stated that about 1 000 caregivers in the Phokwane region had been threatened with dismissal if they participated in any strike action.
“We will intervene because it is a protected strike,” said Moleti.
Spokesperson for the Department of Health, Lulu Mxekezo, said services were not severely disrupted at theGaleshewe Day Hospital during the NCOP visit yesterday.
“The caregivers only picketed for few hours in the morning,” she said.
“Amongst other issues, the caregivers are demanding permanent appointment in the Northern Cape Department of Health. All the issues they raised will be discussed at the meeting scheduled for next week with health management.”
Mxekezo added that the absorption of caregivers was being discussed at national level. “Provinces will implement after those discussions are finalised.
“The head of department was attending the National Health Council in Pretoria, hence he could not address the protesting caregivers.”