There has been ongoing strike action in certain health facilities in Nelson Mandela Bay today, March 7, with striking health workers demanding an increment of at least 10%.
Heavy black smoke could be seen in Stanford Road since this morning, where NEHAWU members protested, blocked roads, chanted and used hand sanitiser as accelerants to burn tyres outside Livingstone Hospital.
One of the protesters, who did not want to be identified, said that they are tired of everything that is supposedly going on inside this hospital.
The worker claimed that the hospital allegedly does not have enough medication, some facilities, such as stoves are not working and they haven’t received new uniforms since 2010.
“Things are much worse than it looks and we are expected to just keep quiet and work like this. We are working very hard but with no increase. We asked for 6.5% in 2018 and did not get it. Now we want at least 10%.”
The worker added that they would continue with the strike action for as long as their union tells them to do so.
“We will come back every day until an agreement is reached and we are told by our leaders to stop. They are inside the hospital discussing this while we protest here,” the worker added.
When asked about healthcare interruptions inside the hospital, the worker said that the patients are still inside the hospital. “We told them that we will not touch the ICU and theatres. Surgeries can continue,” the worker said.
Eastern Cape Health MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth, reiterated that health is an essential service, which means that strike action in this sector is unprotected and unlawful, more so where these acts of intimidation and withholding of services affect abilities to provide care and make employees feel threatened.
“We understand that workers have a right to demonstrate but when they do, they cannot infringe on the rights of others. We cannot afford to have a situation where the lives of patients and staff not on strike are in danger as a result of the action of those who have embarked on this action.
“We have noted that the NEHAWU-affiliated workers have embarked on the strike despite being interdicted by the high court. Such lawlessness is condemned with the contempt it deserves,” Meth said.
“We urge workers to go back to their workstations so that we can continue delivering quality health and care services to our people,” she added.
According to Meth, the disruptive actions by certain members at some health facilities around the province affects access for the non-protesting staff and also denies patients access to healthcare services.
“Such acts of intimidation and violence violate the constitutional rights of the people to life and access to healthcare. Any form of violence and intimidation directed at health workers, patients and infrastructure is condemned in the strongest terms.”
She explained that four out of five unions are not supporting the strike action and have raised concerns that their members are being intimidated and denied access to their work stations. “We do appreciate responsible shop stewards who have called their members to order where necessary, ensured that critical services continue and that our patients receive necessary care. However, we take very seriously those employees who intimidate others, and cause services to be affected negatively.”
She added that appropriate action will be taken in all such instances, and law enforcement agencies are being deployed to support the facilities where there are such acts of lawlessness. In addition, a no-work-no-pay principle will apply to all the officials participating in the strike action.
“The department wishes to ensure the public that services are being offered at our health facilities by members who are not on strike and we are doing everything we can to bring stability to the service. There are reports of disruptions in some areas attributable to acts of intimidation. The department will continue to engage NEHAWU leadership about such incidents.
“Members of the SAPS are highly applauded where they have intervened and dealt with these kinds of incidents, protecting both the members of the public, staff and state infrastructure from these illegal activities. We are, however, maintaining high levels of vigilance, until the strike action is called off.”
Police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, said at approximately 14:00 that the protests were still peaceful.
