Limpopo healthcare workers planned strike called off

All trade unions affiliated in the Limpopo health sector stood united as they held a press conference on Tuesday to announce strike action against the Department of Health.

The unions maintained that the strike, which they say is a protected action, would go ahead as planned.

This was in response to a media briefing that was held on 1 March by the Department of Health where the Head of Department (HOD), Thokozani Mhlongo warned that should the workers embark on a strike; it would be unpaid and unprotected.

The trade unions produced a certificate of non-resolution that was issued by the commissioner on 7 December which permits a strike after the dispute was put before the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC).

Calvin Tshamano, chairperson of Nehawu at the time said that the department is attempting to instil fear to divide the workers by stating that the strike is unprotected.

The unions maintain the call for the department to withdraw Circular 43 of 2020 and Circular 4 of 2021 which instructed the implementation of a new duty roster which changes the conditions of service.

Workers are unhappy with a roster being imposed on them without prior consultation as per Labour Relations Act.

“You can’t take a decision and proceed with it without subjecting that matter to consultation. We are not contesting the right of the employer to manage, we don’t want to co-manage, we are saying as long as a matter has to do with the working conditions of workers; come to workers formations and tell them of your intention,” said Tshamano.

They reiterated that overtime is initiated by the employer, and not by workers, hence it is the responsibility of the employer to find the loopholes and close them.

They also dispute that they have been unwilling to meet with the employer stating that they have made several attempts to engage with the employer without success.

“The onus is on the employer to ensure that the strike doesn’t happen and if it does, it’s for a short period of time. Suspend the implementation of circulars and consult organised labour to restore peace,” said Jacob Molepo, Provincial Organiser for Denosa.

Should healthcare workers continue with the strike, 43 hospitals, emergency medical service (EMS) stations and over 400 clinics in the province will be affected.

The planned strike has, however, been called off following recent developments. The Provincial Secretary of Nehawu, Jacob Adams, confirmed this to Polokwane Observer.

“The MEC of Health and Organised Labour (Nehawu, Denosa, Hospersa, PSA and Samatu) met this afternoon in an attempt to resolve the dispute at hand. The MEC agreed that both circulars; 43 of 2020 and 04 of 2021, are suspended or put on hold for two weeks pending a meaningful consultation with Organised Labour,” a statement by Jabobs reads.

He said this means that their strike is suspened and that they will give the consultation process a chance.

“The lunch hour pickets today must be used for report back purposes in this regard,” he concluded.