City clinics to remain closed
CLINICS in Kimberley will remain shut until the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) receives satisfactory answers regarding the permanent absorption of community health workers (CHWS).
Clinics closed their doors on November 11 due to strike action, with striking CHWS insisting that they be offered permanent contracts, on salary level 3, with full employment benefits.
Union members handed over a memorandum of demands to the MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, yesterday.
The CHWS stated in the memorandum that they are tired of being “abused”.
“We are tired of earning peanuts of R3 500 per month. We can’t have children because we have no maternity leave. We are tired of being taken for a ride. We can’t retire because we do not belong to a pension fund and we can’t afford to get sick because we have no medical aid. Yet we are dying of the coronavirus and other infectious diseases that we are exposed to. As frontline workers we are not offered any protection,” they said.
“Instead of talking to us, the Department of Health has interdicted us using taxpayers’ money. We do not want any favours, we only want what is due to us.”
Nehawu provincial chairperson Jacques Cupido said yesterday that the strike action would not be suspended while the union awaits “answers”.
“We are willing to intensify mass action and will shut down all public services if we do not receive answers by Thursday next week. There are outstanding issues, including overtime pay, bonuses and danger allowances, that need to be finalised,” said Cupido.
He added that the issue of the absorption of community health workers had been ongoing for the past 20 years and should have been implemented a long time ago.
Cupido stated that MEC Lekwene had promised to address their grievances within the next seven days.
“He committed to meet with the union next week following a meeting that will be held with Ministers and Members of the Executive Councils (Minmec) so that he can follow an integrated approach,” said Cupido.
The memorandum stated that CHWS were being exploited by the department – due to their “poor working conditions, loss of life due to occupational infections, diseases and accidents arising from a lack of workplace safety and adherence to basic occupational health and safety laws, standards and protocols including inadequate provision of personal protective equipment (PPES)”.
“CHWS go beyond the call of duty under very difficult working conditions, which at best can be described as appalling.
“Unfortunately the government has left us no option other than to mobilise our mass power and start taking our battles to the street. This is the only power that we have as workers in fighting for the permanent appointment of all CHWS,” said Cupido.
The union has called for all CHWS to be provided with skills training through an accredited training provider to carry out their duties in a more professional manner.
“The Department of Health must provide all CHWS with adequate office space, relevant tools of trade to allow them to perform their work effectively and adequate personal protective clothing to protect them from any form of infection and or danger when performing their duties.”