This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
News24 reports that the Progressive Health Forum (PHF) has raised the alarm over the increasing intimidation of healthcare workers who speak out about poor conditions.
PHF convenor Dr Aslam Dasoo said it was concerning the Gauteng health department was continuing with the disciplinary process against whistleblower Dr Tim De Maayer, despite his suspension having been lifted last month. Dasoo claimed that this amounted to intimidation of healthcare professionals who spoke up about the intolerable conditions under which they worked. De Maayer, a paediatrician at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, was suspended on 10 June after blowing the whistle on the poor state of the hospital. He wrote an open letter to the department, stating the "horrendous conditions in our public hospitals" contributed to children's deaths. His suspension sparked outrage from senior healthcare professionals and academics and members of the "I Am" movement addressed a letter to Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Health Minister Joe Phaahla in solidarity with De Maayer. The initial letter had 130 signatures from senior health professionals. An updated follow-up letter had garnered more than 10,000 signatories from healthcare workers and public members nationally. The movement also launched a petition in which it demanded, among other things, the cessation of disciplinary processes against De Maayer and his colleagues. They called for the establishment of an independent inquiry that would investigate the conduct of provincial health officials and the CEO of the hospital. Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the disciplinary action against De Maayer had "been mute for almost a month". He denied accusations of intimidation.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page