Mzolo said they decided to block the main entrance of the building to prevent people from entering after the labour department’s report confirmed that the building was endangering their wellbeing. “You can’t allow people to go into a building which is not compliant,” he said.
The report, which Sowetan has seen, states that the entire building has black dust and poor ventilation, while fire extinguishers were not properly serviced. Workers who were interviewed by health inspectors complained of experiencing symptoms such as headaches, tight chests and difficulty breathing. Some reported seeing traces of black dust after blowing their noses.
Mzolo said the death of a female cleaner on Saturday also angered them. He said the woman had collapsed while at work about two months before she died.
“We received news that our colleague Caroline Nkosi has passed. Now workers are up in arms because they are also afraid for their safety,” Mzolo said.
PSA chairperson Peter Moloi said employees were not refusing to work. “We want the public to know that we want to work. We just want the employer to provide an alternative building. There is no way we can allow our members to go into an unhealthy building,” Moloi said.
Some workers who were singing outside the building held placards with the words “Department of Health is not healthy” written on them.
Health department workers refuse to enter 'unhealthy' Pretoria head office
Image: Thulani Mbele
Officials at the national department of health head offices in Pretoria have refused to enter the building amid complaints of unsafe working conditions.
Workers affiliated to trade unions Nehawu and the Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) were picketing outside the main entrance of the Civitas building on Tuesday. They called for the department to find them alternative working space while they fix the problem.
The picketing action was sparked by the release of a damning report into the state of the building by the department of labour on January 15 and the death of one of their colleagues three days ago.
Nehawu shop steward Bhungani Mzolo said workers were angry because the department had failed to resolve their issues since last year.
‘Unsafe’ health department offices evacuated
Mzolo said they decided to block the main entrance of the building to prevent people from entering after the labour department’s report confirmed that the building was endangering their wellbeing. “You can’t allow people to go into a building which is not compliant,” he said.
The report, which Sowetan has seen, states that the entire building has black dust and poor ventilation, while fire extinguishers were not properly serviced. Workers who were interviewed by health inspectors complained of experiencing symptoms such as headaches, tight chests and difficulty breathing. Some reported seeing traces of black dust after blowing their noses.
Mzolo said the death of a female cleaner on Saturday also angered them. He said the woman had collapsed while at work about two months before she died.
“We received news that our colleague Caroline Nkosi has passed. Now workers are up in arms because they are also afraid for their safety,” Mzolo said.
PSA chairperson Peter Moloi said employees were not refusing to work. “We want the public to know that we want to work. We just want the employer to provide an alternative building. There is no way we can allow our members to go into an unhealthy building,” Moloi said.
Some workers who were singing outside the building held placards with the words “Department of Health is not healthy” written on them.
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