NEHAWU reaches an agreement with Health Minister about protective equipment
Updated | By Anastasi Mokgobu
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) met with the Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, and resolved issues of compliance matters around the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
The union's General Secretary, Zola Saphetha, says an agreement was reached with the minister on what needs to be provided to frontline workers in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It was agreed that no worker shall be forced or intimidated to work without proper and sufficient provision of occupational protection by any employer.”
“ The department undertook to ensure that management at the institutional level reviews all suspensions of workers and that there is no harassment related to shortages of the PPEs at workplaces," says Saphetha.
The union and the minister also agreed that the National Health and Safety Committee shall be strengthened with additional participation by NEHAWU and other trade unions.
"The committee shall also focus on the wellbeing of the frontline workers, including counselling as and when needed by workers under the current stressful conditions. Moreover, the work of the committee must cover both public and private healthcare workers equally," says Saphetha.
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