MBOMBELA – National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union’s (Nehawu) Ehlanzeni regional organiser Edmond Myanga said they are not going back to work until their demands are met. “Among other things we demand an increase of medical aid and housing allowance. This is a national strike, our counterparts at Barberton and Temba hospitals have also downed tools. We also want the Department of Health to incorporate us into the department,” said Myanga.

The NHLS provides laboratory services to all health-care service providers. The strike would result in patients waiting longer for diagnostic results.

Nehawu’s demands include a salary adjustment of 7,3 per cent‚ a housing allowance of R2 000 per month and a shift allowance of R50, or 45 per cent.

There are 6 700 NHLS members across the laboratories in the nine provinces.