The Eastern Cape Department of Health has obtained an interim interdict against trade unions and their members after weeks of disruptions, intimidation and illegal closure of healthcare facilities in parts of Nelson Mandela Bay.
The department has approached the Labour Court in Gqeberha on an urgent basis, asking for the interdict. Meanwhile, it will implement the no work, no pay policy after some workers refused to return to work, reports City Press.
The illegal strike apparently started at the Motherwell Community Health Centre where workers complained about staff shortages. Health Department spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase said the unprotected strike then spread to other healthcare facilities despite the department putting contingency measures in place.
Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth said she was happy the court had granted the interim interdict. She said the department had more than R700m budgeted for the 2022/23 financial year for more than 2 900 vacancies, which would be filled.
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