Cape Argus reports that following what the Denosa Student Movement said was a vague response from the Western Cape health department about the absorption of Community Service Practitioner Nurses, the organisation has vowed to continue with its sit-ins and sleepovers at the department's offices.

The Movement is demanding the employment of the nurses in permanent positions and better living conditions at nurses’ homes. It also wants the department to refrain from supporting cheap labour practices by way of using nursing agency companies and has condemned the exploitation of nursing students in their utilisation as substitutes for staff shortages within the health facilities. Provincial secretary Fanny Ferris said the situation was not getting the attention that it deserved and that there was no effort from the MEC’s office in addressing the matter. In a letter sent to the Movement following its earlier memorandum, labour relations director Richard Roman said although posts were reserved, the filling thereof would be subjected to the recruitment and selection process within the budget of the department. Roman confirmed that that there would be no automatic absorption process of nurses into permanent posts.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mthuthuzeli Ntseku at Cape Argus

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