The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) suspended the national strike on Wednesday after reaching a settlement agreement with the government at the Bargaining Council.

In a statement, Nehawu said, “The government agreed that residual and substantive matters emanating from 2022/2023 wage dispute related to COLA will be tabled and positively dealt with and concluded as part of 2023/2024 wage negotiations.”

The strike started last Monday and workers intensified the strike by blocking the hospital gate with burning tyres and prohibiting ambulances and patients from going into the hospital.

The strike also affected services at the home affairs offices, the department of labour, SASSA and the department of public works.