Strikers block hospital
Police had to step in to help after strikers blocked gates of hospitals and clinics in Durban and Pietermaritzburg
Striking public sector employees blocked clinics and hospital gates to prevent non-striking workers from entering on Thursday, the KwaZulu-Natal department of health said.
"This morning strikers blocked gates of hospitals and clinics in Durban and Pietermaritzburg. We had to call the police to help to open the gates," health spokesman, Chris Maxon said.
Thousands of healthcare workers downed tools on Thursday morning to join a protest march organised by Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu)-affiliated unions in Durban.
Cosatu-affiliated unions and the Independent Labour Caucus went on strike this week to demand better wages.
Maxon said services in hospitals and clinics were being provided by just a few employees.
"We have not yet decided to call in for help but we are closely monitoring a very fluid situation," he said.
The department had already asked the South African National Defence Force to help if the situation got out of hand.
"We are still managing at the moment. We will call them if the situation gets worse," said Maxon.
He urged the public to bear with the department as there might be delays in providing services.
Last week unions rejected the government’s revised wage offer of a 7% increase and a R630 housing allowance, as well as a 1.5% fixed pay progression.
Workers wanted an 8.6% wage increase and a R1000 housing allowance, backdated to April 1.
Public Service and Administration spokesman Dumisani Nkwamba said unions and the government were scheduled to meet for another round of wage talks in Pretoria on Thursday evening. The meeting would take place at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council in Centurion.
zaman
Strikes everywhere scared people will die in hospitals dep.of healt and saps are not entitled tostrike pls gov give them what they want to prevent strikes those who will lose their life bcos of strike
I,will held the dep. responsible.
Report Abuse
THABZA
THIZ GOVENMENT MUS GIVE THE EMPLOYEES WHAT THEY WANT AND STOP WAISTING THEIR TIME BEFORE THERE WILL BE DAMAGES. KA NTHE WHY OUR GOVENMENT BA BATLA GO BONA KA MAHLO BEFORE THEY CAN INCREASE THEIR SALARIES.WHY DONT YOU JUST GIVE WORKERS WHAT THEY WNT? OR MAY YOU ARE WAITING TO FOR DAMAGES?
AGGG SIES MAN OR GOV YA BORA MARA SERIOUS.
Report Abuse
Qualin
THIS IS UNEXPECTABLE, GOODNESS PEOPLE NEED CARE MAN, WHY ARE THE STOPPING THOSE WHO ARE DOING THEIR JOBS FOR THE LOVE IT!!!!! UNLIKE THEM THAT ARE IN IT FOR THE MONEY.Report Abuse