Patients were turned away from a number of health facilities in most parts of the country while health workers who worked night shift at the Tembisa Hospital were unable to leave the facility as striking workers blocked all entries and exit of the hospital on Wednesday morning. Some government offices were also closed as workers have been on strike since Monday demanding wage increase. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) vow to intensify the strike action until their demands are met. There have been reports of patients being turned away at different hospitals and clinics in the Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal.

DEMANDS

Nehawu served the government with a notice to strike on 24 February after wage negotiations deadlocked. The government offered a 4.7% increase while unions demanded between 10% and 12% salary increase. Union members joined in on a mass strike and blocked entry to government buildings, despite a ruling by the Labour Court, which interdicted the action on Saturday. On Monday Nehawu appealed the court's decision but again the court did not permit them to proceed with the strike. 

 ILLEGAL STRIKE

Public Services and Administration acting minister Thulas Nxesi strongly condemned the strike. Nxesi said they stand by their stance of no work, no pay so the more workers stay away from work the lesser chances they get to be paid. "We have received a court judgment that has dismissed Nehawu's appeal of the interdict that was handed out on Saturday. This further confirms our view that the actions of those striking are illegal. The police will continue to do their work to stop violence and disruptions of normal activities of employees who are not on strike," Nxesi said. He said the department remained vigilant of any illegal activities designed to deny officials and the public access to any premises. 

GOVERNMENT OFFER AN INSULT TO WORKERS

Nehawu's acting regional secretary, Temba Gubula, said the purpose of the strike is to send a message to the government that their members in the public service deserve a decent salary increase. "The 3% that was given last year was an insult. The acting minister called people reckless and said they need to go back to work, go back to work on what basis? Come with an offer, we are willing to negotiate.' Gubula said. He added that it was reckless for the government to impose salaries on people and that this were the people who risked their lives during Covid-19 while being paid peanuts. "The 'no work no pay' principle is not a new thing. Let them deduct the money, we are used to poverty," he said.