“Our members are angry at the way they are being treated.” - Nehawu Provincial secretary

THE NATIONAL Education and Health Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) are preparing to join a nationwide strike at the Department of Social Development as well as well the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) from Monday, if a meeting regarding the social grants and other issues are not resolved by today.

Nehawu Provincial Secretary Sabata Jonas said a meeting would be held today regarding challenges facing the department as well as Sassa.

“We want to know how the new agreement that was signed with Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) will affect our members who are working for Sassa.”

The Constitutional Court had declared the contract invalid.

He indicated that they wanted details regarding the new contract that was concluded with CPS.

“At what cost will it come to taxpayers? We also do not know whether the cost to process each payment will double. At this stage there are too many unanswered questions.”

Jonas stated that the union had motivated for the payment of social grants to be in-sourced and paid out at post offices.

“The grant system is in crisis and leaves a lot of room for corruption and theft. Many pensioners complain about loans and deductions that are illegally made from their social grants that they had not signed up for. There are loan sharks who collude with officials in robbing the poor.

“Beneficiaries are forever stand- ing in long queues and wait the entire day to receive their claims.”

He believed that the Department of Social Development was more than capable of distributing grants.

“Payout points at post offices are in easy access for everyone, including in rural areas. Millions of rands are being wasted on the middle man that could go towards service delivery.”

Jonas stated that other items that would be discussed at the meeting include employees not receiving salary notch increases for the past three years as well as pleas to absorb care workers into the department.

“Our members are angry at the way they are being treated.”

He pointed out that should a briefing from Provincial Treasury not receive the necessary attention, they would consider embarking on a joint strike.

“We could request other departments to join in solidarity.”

Nehawu marched to Provincial Treasury offices two weeks ago, where they highlighted concerns over individuals who were enriching themselves through looting state resources, at the expense of service delivery.

Department of Social Development spokeswoman Lumka Oliphant pointed out that they were not responsible for the payment of occupational specific dispensation (OSD) as it did not fall under the scope of duties.

“The OSD is issued by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and is subject to collective bargaining structures.”

Oliphant indicated that each Province would be allocated re- sources to improve the working conditions of social workers including infrastructure, transport and integrated computer solutions.

“The Department of Social Development will in due course, provide feedback regarding the in-sourcing of all secure care centres outsourced to Bosasa, permanent employment of all contract workers based at the Gender Based Violence Command Centre, as well as ring fencing the government subsidy paid to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for NGO employees conditions of service.”

She added that the department would liaise with national Treasury and the DPSA

“Given the financial implications, some of the issues raised by the union will require prioritisation.”