National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union

This as the Western Cape Health and Social Development departments were on Friday granted an interdict against striking public service workers.

"We are sympathetic to the pressures our healthcare workers face, but the current strike is affecting the vulnerable patients. the disruptions, the lack of care and the loss of life." CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape Health and Social Development departments were on Friday granted an interdict against striking public service workers affiliated to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu).

Now, other essential workers, like the police have threatened to join the strike from Thursday, if their demands were also not met.

While understanding the right of employees to strike, it is important to note that healthcare is an essential service which patients cannot be denied,’’ he said. “The cost of living is sky high and we have been struggling to meet everyday demands. “There will be a facilitation process going on which we hope the employer will attend to, plus we are joining in on the National Shutdown on March 20. We are asking the public to please be patient,’’ he said. Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the National Department of Health said: “Salary negotiations were ongoing between the bargaining council, trade unions and government. We served a notice two weeks ago with the employer informing them that we will embark on a strike until our demands have been met. A nurse from Harry Gwala Hospital said they downed tools because the cost of living had gone up, but not their salaries. While patients suffer, health-care workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were taking a stand due to the high cost of living and the sacrifices they made during the Covid-19 pandemic. Luckily one of the nurses saw me crying due to the pain and pleaded that I go inside to get medical attention,” he said. “The doctor could not get into the hospital. I was in pain and had to send my younger sister to a pharmacy for medication while waiting. “When I got to the hospital I could not pass through to casualty as nurses and members from Nehawu had closed the entrance with burning tyres.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has vowed to intensify its public service strike from Monday.

Saphetha said government was offering public servants an “insulting” 0.5% salary increase. Public servants affiliated with the union have been staging countrywide protests since last Monday over a wage dispute with government. [More people will die if Nehawu strike escalates](https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/protests/nehawu-strike-escalates-march-2023/) [Nehawu](https://www.citizen.co.za/tag/nehawu/)‘s appeal application on the enforcement order of the interdict by the DPSA. [four people have died](https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/at-least-four-dead-nehawu-strike/) as a result of the strike action, according to a preliminary report by the national Department of Health. [ ‘Nehawu strike may not last long’ – Wage deal on the cards?](https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/protests/nehawu-strike-may-wage-deal-march-2023/)

The union says from 2020 to 2023 public service workers have not received salary increases. Workers demanding a 10% salary increase, a R2 500 housing allowance ...

Striking Nehawu members remain firm and are calling for public sector workers to unite behind their strike action. Nehawu says collapsing infrastructure continues to affect public workers. Nehawu was briefing the media on the ongoing public service strike.

HAITU general-secretary Lerato Mthunzi says members will also demand a 10% wage hike, joining NEHAWU amongst other public sector workers.

Mthunzi says that HAITU members will also demand a 10% wage hike. HAITU members will join other healthcare workers for the strike on Monday. ALSO READ:

Last week, Health Minister Joe Phaahla claimed that four deaths could be directly attributed to the strike, but the union denies this.

[Health Minister Joe Phaahla claims lives lost during intensifying Nehawu strike](https://ewn.co.za/0001/01/01/health-minister-joe-phaala-confirms-lives-lost-from-nehawu-wage-increase-strike) Health Minister Joe Phaahla made the claims of lives lost while at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital during a site visit at the height of the strike last Wednesday. JOHANNESBURG - The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union's (Nehawu's) general secretary, Zola Saphetha, said on Sunday the government must take responsibility for any lives lost during strike action, not the union.

Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko says several hospitals have been badly affected by the wage protest.

#DStv403 eNCA speaks to Gauteng Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. Most health facilities in Gauteng will be affected by the ongoing Nehawu strike.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) protesters have justified the mayhem and violence at public hospitals.

No effort is spared to go to the ends of the earth to find a cure to save a life or palliatives to ease pain and human suffering. A health facility, in the circumstances, is their only place of refuge to help them to recuperate. When Covid-19 invaded the world between 2019 and 2021, efforts worldwide were devised to find a cure to save lives. To repeat the obvious, they depend on the skill of doctors, specialists, nurses, and other supporting staff such cleaners, clerks porters, for their well-being and survival. Does this not tell us that to violently invade public hospitals, and cause panic among medical staff and patients, is to contradict the solidarity pledge we make to each other – something that ought to be seen as a badge of honour worn on our sleeves with pride and reverence. Does the leadership of Nehawu in its conferences or meetings not think about these matters?

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) has promised to intensify the strike as it enters a second week of hospital workers downing ...

SPrtesting NEHAWU affiliated union members holding up a placard demanding a 10% salary hike. The National Education, Health, and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) ...

Health Minister [Joe Phaahla linked at least 4 deaths to the strike](https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/phaahla-links-four-deaths-to-nehawus-wage-strike/). Nehawu says negotiations at the bargaining council to try to bring the strike to an end have failed as the workers continue with their call for a 10% wage increase. [Despite numerous interdicts, the strike got off ](https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/court-interdicts-striking-nehawu-members/)last week, with widespread reports of deaths and disruption to the country’s health systems.

Members of the South African National Defence Force occupied the various entry points at the health facility to bring about normalcy.

Operations at the Thelle Mogoerane hospital were brought to a complete halt last week, as Nehawu affiliates blocked hospital staff from entering the premises. entry points at the Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital on the East Rand while Minister of Health Joe Phaahla visited the facility. Members of the South African National Defence Force occupied the various entry points at the health facility to bring about normalcy.