Cape Argus reports that the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has noted a proposal from the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation that universities must develop their own safety plans relating to the return of workers to work.
But, Nehawu general secretary Zola Saphetha said it was concerning because it might open a window for abuse of workers by various uncaring institutions which potentially would recall more than 50% of workers back to unsafe campuses. This came after Minister Blade Nzimande indicated on Monday that, as at November last year, Covid-19 positive cases reported across universities had been 3,088 (1,499 staff and 1,588 students), with 58 deaths (48 staff and 10 students). He is expected to soon receive an updated report on infections and deaths. Saphetha said the union was hoping the department would continue to monitor and approve all plans as submitted by various institutions based on the Covid-19 regulations. “The national union reiterates its call for the department to ensure that all workplaces must have established functioning health and safety committees with clear plans to protect the lives of workers and our members in particular,” he stated. He explained that those committees must be inclusive of representatives from trade unions and must ensure that workplaces complied fully with the occupational health and safety act.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sisonke Mlamla at Cape Argus
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page