GEORGE NEWS - In George, public healthcare facilities have not been affected by the strike of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) over a wage dispute.
A small group of government employees from George last week held demonstrations in front of the York Park building and the departments of home affairs and labour. York Park houses the regional education, social development and human settlements departments.
Nehawu had gone on strike on Monday 6 March and in some parts of the country it impacted severely on services, especially health services at hospitals.
On Monday 13 March, the Labour Appeal Court interdicted essential service workers from striking and Nehawu ordered essential staff to return to work, but said it would not back down from its demands.
According to Nehawu Southern Cape Klein Karoo regional secretary Nkonso Mfedu, they demonstrated, but due to small numbers, services in departments were not affected in the same degree as in the metros.
"We might still mobilise people for the strike depending on the outcome of the meeting [negotiations] today [Wednesday 15 March]."
The Critical Care Society of Southern Africa (CCSSA) condemned the strike in a media statement last week, saying that it poses a severe threat to the lives of critically ill patients in intensive care.
Mfedu commented that bodies such as the CCSSA "should direct their anger at Government that refuses to appreciate public servants by giving them a decent increase. The strike will not end because it is a matter of financial survival for civil servants."
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