Cape Times reports that bereaved families across the country could face a situation whereby they cannot bury their deceased loved ones should a planned strike by Department of Home Affairs (DHA) employees go ahead on 19 June.
Home Affairs director-general Mkuseli Apleni sounded the alarm at a media briefing on Thursday on the failed conciliation talks between the DHA and the Public Servants Association (PSA) over Saturday overtime payments. He expressed concern that the imminent strike would impede the issuing of death certificates, among other services. People would also not be able to travel abroad, because official would not be available to assist with the required documentation. Moreover, new child grants would be affected as they were dependent on birth certificates being issued. Talks between the two parties collapsed on Wednesday at the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council. During negotiations, the DHA proposed that officials be granted a day off on Wednesdays for every Saturday worked, but that was rejected by the unions.
- Read this report by Rapula Moatshe in full at Cape Times
- See too, Home Affairs wary of looming strike by staff, at The Citizen
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page