Hospersa, a union of more than 60,000 health workers in the public and private health sector, said in a statement that it has raised concerns over the increasing mood of discontent amongst its health workers wanting to join forces with other health workers threatening to go on strike over the non-response to their concerns by government. There are growing calls amongst health workers to embark on industrial action over government’s failure to show appreciation towards its foot soldiers (health workers) during this fight.
These calls come at the back of the state president’s announcement of the R500bn stimulus package which made no mention of budget allocations towards any incentive for health workers following the non-implementation of salary increases for public servants which should have been paid in April in terms of a collective agreement signed three years ago.
Hospersa has warned government against taking health workers’ plea for granted which could lead to the country reversing all the gains made during the fight against COVID-19. “Hospersa is concerned over the brewing mood amongst health workers to resort to industrial action,” said Hospersa general secretary Noel Desfontaines. “We have received numerous concerns from our members that government is failing to show appreciation for their efforts during this fight against COVID-19. Our members have criticised the state president for not announcing any relief for health workers in the R500bn stimulus package and are now weighing their options which includes downing tools,” added Desfontaines.
“While industrial action in the health sector is not ideal and not promoted by Hospersa, our members also have a right to voice out their grievances against the employer and demand support from their union. We will support them in their action but we also remain adamant that government will take heed to our concerns and address the brewing tension which could hinder the country’s fight against COVID-19,” concluded Desfontaines.
[link url="https://www.polity.org.za/article/hospersa-concerned-by-brewing-health-worker-labour-unrest-during-covid-19-lockdown-2020-04-23"]Full Hospersa statement[/link]