NEHAWU Free State Statement On The Termination of Contract Workers By The Provincial Government
Monday September 30, 2024The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in the Free State is perturbed by the termination of a cohort of contract workers in the Office of the Premier and Department of Health.
As NEHAWU, we find this decision appalling in the face of chronic high unemployment rate in the country which 33.5, wherein Free State is amongst the top three provinces with high unemployment rate of 38.9% which is 5.10% higher than the national unemployment rate.
The department health has made it clear that because of budgetary constraints, it will not be able to either absorb or extend the employment contracts of COVID-19 contract workers. Whilst on the other hand, office of the Premier had indicated to the union that there are those that will be permanently appointed, because they were working in the posts and others will be appointed on projects. We are not happy with the posture adopted by both the Department of Health and the Premiers Office, the union shall continue to engage both offices for a lasting solution in this regard.
On Community Health workers, Community Development Workers and EX- Pioneers (Masupatsela)
As NEHAWU, we cannot keep quiet about the perpetual exploitation of our Community Health Workers in the Province, who are continuously used as contract workers without consideration to appoint them permanently, despite the fundamental work they are doing for the department of health particularly service delivery to our communities. It is our view that these CHWs are the back bone of Primary Health Care and further a back bone of National Health Insurance.
The termination of contract workers comes as a result of the national directive from DPSA which directed that all contract employment must be terminated. The union is also aware of the fact that this directive comes as a result of the austerity measures which fails to take into account the responsibility of the state to provide service to communities.
The context within which we must understand the abominable effects of these termination not only on these workers but also because of the fact that at least one member feeds about seven or above family members.
We have learnt with dismay the utterances made by the Premier, which deems to be an onslaught without provocation, on our Community Development Workers on their failure to perform. The Premier fails to appreciate and understand that these workers are placed within the communities without tools of trade including office spaces and what is worse that there's no proper supervision, such that there can be an appreciation on the work done by some of them in their respective localities.
It is our considered view that this is the failure on the part of the system in our province to an extent that there is a dismal failure to ensure that CDWs are monitored and empowered to deliver services as expected. As a union, we do not condone laziness nor poor performance however, the blame on CDWs must be based on the functional system of the state.
Our point in relation to the system is also confirmed by the fact that currently the Department of Social Development has a cohort of workers who are called Ex- pioneers (Masupatsela) which to date are performing the work of officials in salary level 5 and above but paid at salary level 3, despite the fact that some of them are qualified as auxiliary social workers etc. It also a fact that their job descriptions and performance assessment contradicts their initial ranks they were appointed at. This in our view it is also a systematic failure.
We call on the provincial government to ensure that it is not part of the problem of creating and exacerbating the social ills which currently engulfing the province. The government must address the systematic failures in so far as it relates to both CDWs and CHWs, contract workers and Ex-Pioneers (Masupatsela). The union will not rest or turn a blind eye on these injustices aimed at workers in general and in particular our members.
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Issued by NEHAWU Gauteng Secretariat
Mzikayise Tshontshi (Gauteng Provincial Secretary) at 0636851938 or email: mzikayise@nehawu.org.za or
Thulisile Msimang (Gauteng Provincial Deputy Secretary) at 0721748062 or email: tmsimang@dtps.gov.za
Visit https://www.nehawu.org.za
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