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The Citizen reports that Vermont Old Age Home in Hornlee, Knysna, is no stranger to controversy, with the latest being an attempted hunger strike by residents in sympathy with the centre’s “overworked and underpaid” caregivers and staff members.
The staff have allegedly also not received an increase or bonus in the past three years. A representative from the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), Simphiwe Guzi, spoke to Knysna-Plett Herald and outlined the frustration of staff members. He said the union had been trying to meet with the management, but that all attempts to do so had been in vain thus far. He explained that the centre’s residents, in solidarity with the staff, then decided to go on a hunger strike on 16 June until such time as management would listen to their grievances. But this did not work either, Guzi said. He commented that: “Although we appreciated the support, after a while we told them to eat because they are old and some take medication and therefore cannot afford to go without meals.” When Board chairperson and acting manager Mietjie Tities was asked for comment, she laughed and rubbished the allegations, adding: “There was never a protest action at the centre – a staff member told me about the protest action but when I had a meeting with the residents, I was told there is no such thing.”
- Read the full original of Nwabisa Pondoyi’s report on this story at The Citizen
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