King Cetshwayo emergency services disrupted by health strike

The KZN Department of Health says it is monitoring ongoing strike action that has disrupted health services in some districts, including King Cetshwayo.

The strike action by health workers affiliated to the National Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) began on Monday.

KZN Health HoD Dr Sandile Tshabalala said Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in and around eThekwini and in King Cetshwayo had reported serious challenges with moving around and transporting patients to and from healthcare facilities.

“This industrial action has resulted in the blockage of access to various hospitals by certain individuals, which has hindered access to several facilities, as well as work stoppages following the intimidation and removal of staff from their posts, and the burning of tyres,” said Dr Tshabalala.

He warned that the principle of ‘no work, no pay’ will be instituted against employees who participate in the ‘illegal action’.

“The department reminds all its employees that, as healthcare professionals, they are classified as essential services, which means they are legally prohibited from embarking on industrial action.

“Contravention of this law could have dire circumstances on all involved individuals,” said Dr Tshabalala.
The union said it remains resolute and no amount of ‘court intimidation by the government’ will deter them from the strike as they demand an above-inflation increase of 10%.

“This is a financial year in which the cost of living skyrocketed as the inflation hit a 13-year record of 7.8% in July last year, and remained above 7%.

“Statistics South Africa recently found that inflation still remains high, at 6.9% in January 2023. Clearly, 3% is not a wage increase – it is a wage cut when taking into account the rising cost of living,” said Nehawu in a statement last month.

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