The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) is dismayed by the newly signed Resolution 1 of 2021 in Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC), which extends the contracts of Community Healthcare Workers (CHWs) across the eight Provinces with no benefits.
NUPSAW rejects the agreement with its greatest content. We view this agreement as continuous exploitation of CHWs across the eight Provinces, without permanent employment and benefits, including medical aid, UIF, provident fund, and work uniforms. The resolution is nothing but rather sabotage in the refusal to absorb CHWs on a similar level to those in Gauteng under the Department of Health.
The country is aware of these workers’ critical role, especially in providing primary healthcare in townships and rural areas. They further proved their importance during the hard lockdown by playing a central role in the government’s mass screening and testing drive. While the cost of living has also increased, basic needs are now above the inflation rate, while job security is very scarce. However, the Department of Health and Social Development is constantly dodging the absorption of these employees into permanent employees of the Departments.
Unfortunately, the same sweetheart unions that are conniving to stop the admission of NUPSAW in PHSDSBC are similar ones signing sell-out deals with the employers and causing the Departments to be constantly dragging their feet in providing the CHWs with permanent contracts.
Despite all their efforts, we will not rest until all CWHs in the eight Provinces are permanently absorbed on level 2 as an interim solution to our primary demand for level 5 at R12 500 for all CHWs in the country.
For more information:
Kagiso Makoe
NUPSAW Media Officer
Cell: 083 712 1614
Solly Malema
NUPSAW National Organiser
Cell: 082 323 2958