eNCA reports that not everyone celebrated Workers' Day and some Gauteng paramedics met with Gauteng Health MEC, Gwen Ramokgopa, to discuss their safety while on the job.  

Last week, a paramedic died after suspects in a vehicle opened fire on an ambulance.  In 2016 there were 12 incidents in which paramedics were attacked and already this year there have been six incidents.  “Firstly we have got to acknowledge that there is a problem and this year we have lost on one of our paramedics and secondly we need to alert our staff that there are conscious and that management is there to support them.  We have agreed that as you respond to the call you also need to access the environment and ask for back up if needed,” said Ramokgopa.  She will be talking to her community safety counterpart on how best to help protect paramedics.

• Read this report in full at eNCA
• See too, Paramedics tell MEC they are 'living in fear', at The Star

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page