Forensic pathology laboratory assistants working at one of three mortuaries in the greater Durban area were ordered last week to desist from their illegal strike, which had resulted in post mortems grinding to a halt and bodies piling up.  

Following an urgent application in Durban’s labour court, 20 named employees were directed to immediately report for work at the Pinetown mortuary.  They were also restrained from disrupting, in any way, the normal functioning of the mortuary and being anywhere near it outside of working hours.  The application was launched by provincial department of health, which advised that the mortuary was designated an “essential service".  Employees downed tools last Monday, refusing to conduct any post-mortems due to a dispute with the manager.  They also said they have to buy their own shoes, and that boots were not supplied.  Some claimed they have to request gloves each day and use old face masks from previous days as new ones were not readily available.

• Based on reports at News24 and Daily News

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