Members of the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) employed at the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) downed tools on Wednesday.  

The strike could result in blood test backlogs.  Nehawu, which represents the majority of NHLS employees, said its members were refusing to work until their demands were met.  Nehawu’s Khaya Xaba indicated that, while they have accepted a 7.3% salary increase, other issues, including provision of a R2,000 housing allowance, danger pay and insourcing, have not been resolved.  The NHLS provides diagnostic pathology services such as blood tests to the government.  It is also responsible for the majority of laboratory testing regarding HIV and tuberculosis in the country and plays a major role in cervical cancer testing.

• Based on reports at EWN and eNCA
• Read too, National Health Laboratory workers down tools, at TimesLive

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