The Citizen reports that a staggering 3,639 work stoppages, dating back to September last year, have affected many public hospitals in the troubled Gauteng health department.
Officials on Monday kept mum on the implications of the massive work stoppages, exposed in a written reply by acting health MEC Faith Mazibuko to a question in the provincial legislature by the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Jack Bloom. According to Mazibuko’s reply, 268 workers downed tools at 33 health facilities last September, with the only action taken against them being leave without pay. Work stoppages jumped dramatically this year, with incidents involving a total of 3,371 workers. Leratong hospital in the west of Johannesburg was the hardest hit when 1,600 workers downed tools in May. Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg saw work stoppages by 120 workers in March, 209 in April and 300 in May. At Sterkfontein hospital 600 workers downed tools in May, while in March 500 workers took action at Thelle Mogoerane and 42 at Kopanong.
- Read this report by Brian Sokutu in full at The Citizen
- Read Jack Bloom’s press statement at Politicsweb
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page