Denosa: Healthcare workers ‘disregarded’ in Ramaphosa's relief package
The Democratic Nursing Union of South Africa (Denosa) has expressed disappointment at the R500 billion social relief package announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday.
The package is mostly targeted at the most vulnerable in society and includes hikes in social grants for the next six months as well as a new grant for the unemployed.
But Denosa president Simon Hlungwani says Ramaphosa has disregarded healthcare workers.
"We are really saddened and we feel like the forgotten heroes of the country. We welcome the social relief for the poor but the president has forgotten healthcare workers who are the foot soldiers. This has left a bitter taste in our mouths.
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"We are not immune to the disease and can contract it while we are trying to help and over and above that government has said it will not increase the wages of public servants which includes healthcare workers. Imagine that! Nurses are also struggling with transport, so we are even battling to get to work."
Hlungwani says the union plans to meet with Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize to discuss the regulations which give government powers to redeploy healthcare workers to other provinces.
He adds the provision of a danger allowance should also be considered.