File
Health workers at several facilities in Gqeberha who have been on an unprotected strike for several weeks are set to return to work on Thursday.
The Eastern Cape Health Department said this followed talks with trade unions on the staffing issues that led to them going on strike, bringing services at clinics in Motherwell and elsewhere to a standstill.
Health MEC, Nomakosazana Meth, said she’s happy that they were able to “find themselves” and that communities will be able to access the “crucial services that had been disrupted in these last couple of weeks.”
She said unions committed that services would be restored from Thursday, while she would engage with management on not implementing the no work, no pay rule against employees while they were on strike.
Meanwhile, the Health Department said eight nursing positions at the Motherwell Community health Centre will be filled also be filled on Thursday while the appointment of 20 general workers is also being fast-tracked.
On Tuesday, the Department of Health obtained an interim interdict against the striking employees, with the return date on 8 June.
