The recent weeklong strike by National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) members in South Africa has had severe impacts on the provision of essential healthcare services in the country. The South African Labour Appeal Court has ordered the striking state healthcare workers to end their walkout, which has affected services in some of the country’s big hospitals. The strike has led to untold suffering and frustrations among the public who desperately need healthcare and life-saving treatment. In response to the strike, the South African military has deployed medics to help in the affected hospitals at the request of the health department.
According to reports, clinical operations were hamstrung by a low nursing and administrative support staff turnout. The labour relations act prohibits essential services workers from engaging in strike action which is detrimental to healthcare services with a risk of loss of life. As a result, the court interdict on Monday will help stabilise services at the affected hospitals.
The health department has said that the strike has disrupted the provision of essential healthcare services in the country, leading to untold suffering and frustrations amongst the public. The strike has also affected the stability of services in some of the country’s big hospitals.
The South African government offered a 4.7 per cent wage hike, while the union demanded a 10 per cent wage hike. Union leaders have not made any comments on the recent court interdict.
In response to the government’s demand to end the dispute, NEHAWU leader Zola Saphetha told a news conference that the government’s demand is another demonstration of how far it is prepared to undermine and collapse collective bargaining and the dispute resolution mechanism by imposing its will on workers. The union has released a statement saying that no amount of litigation or intimidation by the government will deter them from the noble worthy cause that they have embarked on.
In conclusion, the recent weeklong strike by NEHAWU members has caused severe disruptions in essential healthcare services in South Africa. The labour relations act prohibits essential services workers from engaging in strike action which is detrimental to healthcare services with a risk of loss of life. As a result, the South African Labour Appeal Court has ordered striking state healthcare workers to end their walkout, which will help stabilise services at the affected hospitals. The government offered a 4.7 per cent wage hike, while the union demanded a 10 per cent wage hike. Union leaders have not made any comments on the recent court interdict.
