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.
The Witness reports that the recommencement of services at the Fort Napier Mortuary in Pietermaritzburg has led bereaved families to question why violence seems to be the only language the government understands.
This comes after families of recently-deceased loved ones barricaded the entrance to the Fort Napier Mortuary and Hospital on Thursday, demanding the release of their relatives’ bodies. The staff had refused to work due to poor working conditions. Allegedly, staff members were being forced to work in an environment that was unpleasant, unsafe, and detrimental to their well-being. Factors contributing to this included extreme temperatures, poor ventilation, inadequate equipment, unreasonable workloads, long hours, and poor management practices. These conditions are said to have negatively impacted their health, productivity, and morale. Air conditioners have reportedly not been working since last year, and workers have been relying on fans, which have now broken down. The recommencement of the post-mortem processes followed the introduction of three new fans to the mortuary.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntombizethu Ngcobo at The Witness
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page