Gauteng pathologists implored to return to work

Employees have downed tools over wage-related issues, as well as complaints over working conditions. 

Spokesperson for the department, Khutso Rabothata, says they met with employees from various centres across the province on Friday.

"The meeting follows on the intervention by the MEC (of Health Gwen Ramakgopa)  to ensure that disrupted Forensic Pathology Services are restored in the best interest of bereaved families and the interest of justice," says Rabothata.

Rabothata says the acting Head of the Department, Dr Ernest Kenoshi, is seeking an amicable resolution to the impasse. 

"In this meeting the department re-affirmed the commitment made by the MEC that Counselling and Debriefing Sessions will be reinstated for use by employees as needed; an audit of critical equipment and protective clothing will be conducted with immediate effect; the implementation of the danger allowance for qualifying employees will be effected; and the reversal of the Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) remuneration scales to 2010, which is the pre-OSD salary scales," says Rabothata.

Rabothata says the department will await the outcome of the National Collective Bargaining to see what can be done to address the workers' grievances. 

"This is an intensive process that takes longer to finalise and it's fitting that we provide pathology services whilst this process is being engaged," says Rabothata.