Department of Social Development on strike

DEPARTMENT of Social Development employees downed tools this past Friday in a nation-wide protest.The employees of this department, belonging to the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) declared a total shutdown of the Social Development offices all around South Africa.

Members were demanding improved working conditions for child and youth care workers.

According to NEHAWU, their demands were first tabled to their employer in August 2015 and this year, on February 10, their members staged a nation-wide protest to resubmit the demands.

These were the original demands:

1. Placement of assistant community development practitioners (Masupatsela cadres) at the correct salary level.

2. Entry level for support staff from salary level 5 to 6.

3. Abolition of salary levels 2 and 3 for support staff.

4. The immediate rollout of uniforms for cleaners and security officers.

5. The review of occupation specific dispensation (OSD) for social service professionals and occupations.

6. The introduction of a rural allowance.

7. The provision of tools of the trade.

8. The absorption of unemployed social workers on a permanent basis.

9. The permanent employment of all employees who are under the gender-based violence command centre.

10. Improved conditions of service for all employees in the Department of Social Development.

11. The implementation of the 2015 Social Work Indaba resolutions.

12. The in-sourcing of all Public Secure Care Centres outsourced to Bosasa.

13. The protection and respect of our noble council for social service professionals.

In AbaQulusi, staff members from Edumbe and Vryheid gathered at the local DSD offices in protest.

Community members were unable to receive any assistance the entire day.

Last week, negotiations with the Social Development Department collapsed and NEHAWU was served with a court interdict.

Despite things having been quiet on Monday, there was still word that the strike was not over.

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