Emergency services saga continues
MIDRAND - Head of communications for the Gauteng Department of Health, Prince Hamnca has confirmed that 20 paramedics were dismissed for engaging in an unprotected strike.
The department’s paramedics and control room personnel embarked on an illegal strike on 14 October which lasted a few days. Paramedics sited management, pay and overtime disputes.
They claim the department of health has not paid them for overtime for many years and does not give them sufficient tools to work with, such as proper lights to use when responding to an emergency, especially for paramedics on night duty.
“Out of 1 400 personnel who embarked on the strike, the 20 were let go for endangering communities’ lives by leaving their posts. They also changed their employment contracts by deciding to work only from 7am to 3pm.”
Their contract stipulates that they work from 7am till 7pm.
Hamnca explained that the employees render an essential service, “By law, they are not allowed to go on strike, even worse, an illegal one. The department views their actions as irresponsible and we are taking necessary steps against all those who participated in the strike.”
He added that the matter will be reported to the regulator at the Health Professions Council of South Africa. One of the paramedics who was dismissed, Higgins Mogakane told Midrand Reporter that they are engaging lawyers and unions to fight this dismissal.
