GroundUp reports that about 20 community health workers confronted Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize with a memorandum of demands during his visit to Lentegeur Psychiatric Hospital in Mitchell’s Plain on Monday.
Ntombethemba Maduna, national chairperson of the South African Care Workers Forum, asked him: “What can we do with a R3,500 stipend? We have to send our kids to school and pay rent.” She said the minister knew very well that community workers ought to be employed permanently. Workers also said they wanted to be vaccinated against Covid-19 along with nurses and other health workers. Accepting the memorandum, Mkhize said: “I will discuss your complaints with the health committee. You must get vaccinated. I hear you.” Earlier on Monday, the health workers had snubbed several officials wishing to address them, insisting they would only speak directly to the national minister. Dr Saadiq Kariem, chief of operations for Western Cape Health, said: “There are processes that are supposed to happen at the level of the bargaining council. We understand your concerns.” But Tikwayo said: “It’s only now [that the minister is here] that you want to hear from us.” According to Tikwayo, community health workers had as their priority getting recognition as professionals for what they did. They would “fight for salary increase afterwards”, she indicated.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Vincent Lali at GroundUp
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