KZN state mortuary workers in picket

Asking for better conditions, more staff, safety equipment, overtime

BODIES at state mortuaries in KwaZulu-Natal are at risk of piling up as health workers begin the first of a series of planned pickets over better working conditions. The workers picketed outside the provincial Department of Health’s head offices in Pietermaritzburg yesterday.

They demanded better conditions and adequate safety working equipment such as gloves, masks and properly functioning air conditioning systems.

The workers are also demanding the department increase the workforce at some mortuaries to ease the workload.

The unions said they had not ruled out a full-blown strike if demands were not met.

Phakama Ndunakazi, chairperson of the KZN National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), said the unions had no other option but to picket, because they had been “ignored for too long”. He said the protest was their last attempt to put pressure on the department to respond to these issues.

“We have engaged on a number of occasions about the working conditions, and pleaded with them to make it conducive and safe. Long hours has been an issue since 2013. With this protest, we would definitely get the employer’s attention,” said Ndunakazi.

Sfiso Dlamini, Public Service and Allied Workers Union (PSAWU) spokesperson, said: “Workers are inconvenienced when called to work on days off and to be on duty for half a day to cover staff shortages.”

He said the roster was changed in 2013 to ensure staff worked a maximum of 160 hours a month, but instead they were forced to work between 168 to 180 hours, and were not paid for the extra hours.

Dlamini said the union intervened last year by writing to the department, questioning the issue of extended unpaid working hours, but it failed to respond.

“Workers from all the government-owned mortuaries will take part in the protest. We are determined to get the employer to take us seriously.

“All workers from unions under PSAWU will take part.

“We want the employer to give us the kind of response that would convince workers to go back to work,” he said, adding that the picket would continue until the department met their demands.

Earlier this month, staff at Park Rynie mortuary downed tools, leaving 17 bodies unattended. The staff reported sick, forcing Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo to personally assist for two days with the post-mortems, which had to be conducted in Port Shepstone. Other unions described the situation at Park Rynie as “only a go-slow”.

It emerged grievances included disputes concerning roster times, days off and leave.

Dlamini said members who reported ill were served warning letters. “Most mortuaries in the province are expected to operate with a skeleton staff.”

Sam Mkhwanazi, provincial health spokesperson, said the department was aware of the picket and would comment after receiving the memorandum.