Resthaven care workers demand their stipend
CARE workers, who have not received their stipends of R1 900 since last month, protested outside Resthaven old age home yesterday.
They claimed that they were locked out of the premises yesterday morning and said that the police were called to instruct them to vacate the grounds.
The caregivers also said that they had resorted to sleeping on the hard floor at the old age home, without any blankets, if they worked the night shift.
“The windows are broken and we do not feel safe at night. We are hungry but cannot take the food meant for the residents of the home.
“There hasn’t been enough funds to buy groceries for the month. They often deliver chickens that are starting to rot for the residents to eat.
“Those who work the morning shift, walk to their homes in Phutanang and Transit Camp.”
They also stated that they were not provided with masks and gloves and added that they had embarked on a go-slow.
“We do everything for the 48 pensioners at the home, including bathing, feeding, clothing and giving them their medication. There are two casuals who are currently caring for them. As there is no washing powder, the laundry is washed with salt and a tiny bit of soap. The pensioners often suffer from rashes and sores if they have a bad reaction to the home-made detergent. The residents are only given one adult diaper that they have to wear for a minimum of 24 hours, even if they become soiled and they are forced to go barefoot in the winter.”
Spokesman for the Department of Social Development, Gamiem Abrahams, explained that the current subsidy allocation for this financial year had not been processed yet.
“This is as a result of the late submission of compliance documentation required to process payments. The caregivers are paid from the subsidy allocation. The department has intervened and is working with the board and management of Resthaven to resolve the matter. Payment will be effected soon. It should, however, be stressed that the delay in payment is not as a result of departmental processes, but rather the late submission of documentation in order to effect payment.”
Abrahams added that the care workers were employed by the management committee of the residential facility.
“They work on a shift basis, which leads to no need for any care worker to sleep at the facility. Care workers who work night shift are not supposed to sleep on duty. They are on night duty and they are relieved by the day shift caregivers. It is the same as nurses for example working at night and being relieved the next day by the day shift. There therefore is no need to make provision for sleeping quarters for night duty personnel.”
Abrahams stated that older persons at the home were suffering because of the strike action.
“The management at the facility has, however, put in place a contingency plan and residents are bathed and fed on time. Staff employed in other positions at the centre stand in and provide the necessary services required. The residents receive the services they are entitled to, on time.”
He also indicated that meals that were prepared at the centre were meant for the consumption of the residents only.
“Caregivers, like any other workers at the centre, are responsible for their own meals. It is unacceptable that the food prepared and meant for the residents should be consumed by caregivers or any other non-residents at the facility.”
Abrahams said that residents were informed about the current situation and were “understanding thereof ”.
“The department can confirm that basic services are rendered and no resident is negatively affected. We, in consultation with management, continue to work towards a speedy resolution to the current impasse.” The careworkers at Resthaven old age home protested yesterday after not receiving their stipends.