Merafong City HIV/AIDS educators protest over non-renewal of contracts
They say that it is only in Merafong where this is happening.
A group of community HIV/Aids educators picketed in front of the municipality this week.
They said they feel wrongfully treated by the institution.
“Some of us had been working on this project since it started in 2004. The municipality renewed our contracts every year in July and we kept on doing the work in our wards,” one of the approximately 20 picketers told the Herald.
She said they were shocked when all of a sudden many of their contracts were not renewed again this year.
“They said that those who are 40 years or older cannot work anymore,” another worker complained. According to the group, they have been going door to door to educate people about HIV/Aids. They also attended many functions for the same purpose.
The former workers said they are in contact with HIV/Aids educators in other parts of the province, and it is only in the Merafong City Local Municipality where some did not have their contracts renewed. To make matters worse, there is a possibility that the contracts will become permanent work, which their fear will now go to the new appointees.
The Herald took the issues to the municipality on Monday.
“The EPWP contracts of the HIV and AIDS door-to-door educators for the 2023/2024 financial year ended on June 30 this year as per the contracts signed with the municipality. The process to identify the educators in line with the EPWP guidelines is unfolding and has not been concluded,” said the municipality’s Temba Fezani.
