SowetanLive reports that about 200 community healthcare workers of the Sedibeng district municipality, who had been camping outside municipal buildings due to non-payment, were excited as the employer finally deposited their money on Wednesday.

Alina Modise, one of the 187 ward-based HIV/Aids co-ordinators contracted by the municipality who were not paid on time, said she was happy that she finally got paid as she was facing eviction. Since Monday, dozens of workers had been protesting outside the municipal building in Vereeniging, demanding payment. The group had also been sleeping there. The workers were appointed in July on 12-month contracts that run until June. They have now received their September, October and November salaries. The workers receive R3,500 every month and are responsible for raising awareness on HIV/Aids through door-to-door campaigns in areas in Sedibeng. They also carry out tasks at local clinics such as Covid-19 screening at the entrances and assist patients with collecting their medication. Municipal manager Motsumi Mathe explained: “We had a delay [in payment] this year because of outstanding data in the reports we submitted to the health department. The department picked up that there were inconsistencies in our reports. We take responsibility for not submitting all documents properly.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpho Koka at SowetanLive

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page