Bitter-sweet news for NGOs
THE ABSORPTION of community health workers might sink many local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and add to unemployment in the Northern Cape.
These were the sentiments of NGOs yesterday who said that the absorption of care workers by the Northern Cape Department of Health was bitter-sweet news.
“This was a very sudden move from the department. We knew that this was going to happen at some stage, however, it happened very fast and with no warning. It felt like the department pulled the rug from under the feet of NGOs. There was no proper consultation followed with NGOs to inform or prepare them on the decision.
“Some NGOs are totally dependent on funding from the department and the absorption of care workers will mean that they will now no longer receive any assistance from the department any more. That will result in many NGOs having no other choice but to close their doors as they will no longer be able to pay for basic necessities such as rent and municipal services,” said one NGO.
Another NGO said the news was a bitter pill to swallow.
“This is wonderful news for care workers as they will be earning more money and as organisations we are glad for them. However, the department has not taken into account how this will affect organisations as a whole. The way the procedure was done was not conducive. We were informed within three days about the absorption of the care workers. There are now many employees in organisations who will be left without employment a month before the festive season.
“Some people, such as the co-ordinators and supervisors, in the organisations are sole breadwinners for their households but are now facing unemployment. Since the department is absorbing the care workers there is no need for the department to still assist organisations.
“Many organisations have also trained these care workers with their own money but now have got nothing to show for that.”
Another NGO said that they now have to come up with alternative means of funding.
“We will have to sit and plan on which doors we will knock for funding and organise fund-raisers. It is very unfortunate as the department did not give us sufficient time to plan our things.
“Usually when one has a funder and they decide to end a contract, they at least do it within a few months. In this situation, we were told the news within days. That is very stressful as we now have to pave a way forward in the dark.
“Should we not secure contracts from other funders, we will have no other choice but to close the organisation. It is heartbreaking as many community members are reliant on the organisation and the service it provides.”