The Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (Haitu) has filed an application for leave to appeal the Labour Court’s order granting the Department of Labour the right to place it under administration.
As the only militant union serving the interests of health workers in the country, its liquidation would be a big blow to the sector, said general secretary Lerato Mthunzi.
“Workers are suffering because of the strenuous conditions they are exposed to daily … only a revolutionary, fearless union like Haitu can fight for them and defend their rights.”
The Labour Department and the State Attorney had already been informed of the appeal, she said, but meanwhile, “the union will continue operations as normal – led by the leadership elected at the last congress”.
The Star reports that last week, Haitu announced it would investigate “the authenticity of the court order purporting to be a judgment from the Labour Court” claiming the union was already under administration.
Gerhard Vosloo has been appointed as the administrator.
Mthunzi said the order comes as Haitu was being considered to join the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC).
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