The department of health in Gauteng is monitoring the situation in healthcare facilities as the strike by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) continues.
On Monday, the Labour Appeal Court turned down Nehawu’s application to appeal an urgent interdict previously granted by the Labour Court.
The ruling barred the essential services workers from striking, picketing or embarking on other forms of industrial action.
Following the court ruling, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, MEC for health and wellbeing in Gauteng, called on striking healthcare workers to return to work with immediate effect.
“We are monitoring the situation on the ground to ensure that services are fully restored,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.
“We will be implementing the no work, no pay policy and start with disciplinary measures where necessary, [especially] in cases where the court directive is not heeded.”
She added that preliminary reports show that most facilities across the province are operating as expected.
Nehawu vowed on Monday to intensify its strike indefinitely, as the government stood firm on its offer to raise salaries by 3%. The union demands a 10% pay hike, among others.
Nehawu general secretary Zola Sapetha said: “If no new agreement is reached by 31 March 2022 on the 2022/23 salary adjustment, this non-pensionable cash allowance shall remain in force until a new agreement is entered to by the parties.
“There was no agreement on the 2022/23 salary adjustment and, therefore, the employer is once again in violation of the agreement it has signed,” Sapetha said.
During his visit to Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Ekurhuleni on Monday, Health Minister Joe Phaahla linked the deaths of at least four patients to the strike, and appealed to striking workers to do so in a peaceful manner.
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