Strike at Germiston mortuary causes bodies to pile up
Although post-mortems are being performed, the numbers are lower than usual.
Staff at the Germiston state mortuary are once again on strike.
Jack Bloom (MPL – DA Gauteng shadow health MEC) said: “I am concerned by the strike at the mortuary which is hurting grieving relatives who can’t get the bodies of their loved ones for burial.”
“Forensic staff are apparently striking because of a lack of protective gear.”
Bloom added that the Gauteng Health Department is responsible for this mortuary and should have addressed staff grievances which have caused previous strikes.
“But this is an illegal strike because mortuaries are an essential service, and families are suffering as the bodies pile up.
“The DA calls for responsible behaviour on all sides so that post-mortems can be speedily performed and bodies released as soon as possible,” Bloom said.
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The GCN requested comment from the Gauteng Health Department, and Dr Paul Morule said that the concerns raised in this strike are different from those of previous strikes.
“The department is currently negotiating to reach a settlement with the strikers,” Morule said.
“Post-mortem examinations are being performed although the numbers are lower than usual.
“At the moment staff from other areas have not been called in to assist with the post-mortems.”
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