The woes of the embattled Department of Social Development is set to deepen, with the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union preparing for a national wage strike.
Nehawu said in a statement that the strike was a result of the failure by the Department of Social Development to table a meaningful response to what it said were “their reasonable demands.”
Nehawu said it had been patient since August 2015 in an attempt to promote labour peace and stability in the sector, and gave the Department and in particular Minister Bathabile Dlamini enough time to address union demands.
Nehawu said it was planning a meeting next Monday and would furnish details of the planned strike afterwards.
It list of nine demands revolves mainly around conditions of employment and related matters.
These include the introduction of a rural allowance for social workers; the absorption of unemployed Social Workers on a permanent basis and improved conditions of service for all employees in the Department of Social Development.
“Our members in the Department of Social Development continue to face the harsh reality that the department does not care nor take serious their demands,” Nehawu said.
“It is evident that the Minister is hell-bent on holding the sector and the country at large in ransom, as a result of her failure to exercise her oversight role.”
“Recently, NEHAWU had to fight for the survival of the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) which was on the brink of collapse under her (Min Bathabile) watch.
