Salaries of security workers at Standerton Hospital are trickling in

Security guards at Standerton Hospital protested last week by burning tyres after service providers failed to pay their January salaries.

The Standerton Advertiser spoke to Mr Lucky Zondo, local organiser of the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu), on Wednesday, 29 January, who said that the National Education and Health Workers Union (Nehawu) would join them soon.

The protest began on Thursday, 16 January and guards were picketing outside the hospital’s entrance the following day.

No security checks could be done on anyone entering the facility.

According to information, the main gate was locked on Tuesday, 28 January.

The Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) issued press releases twice, on 26 January and 30 January.

The gist of the first statement was that the department has contracts with various service providers to render security services at various government sites, including clinics and health facilities, across the province.

According to the statement, service providers are paid monthly upon the submission of invoices to the department, but the department has experienced budgetary constraints since last month and this affected timeous payments to these companies, within 30 days in line with government prescripts.

It went on to say that it consequently led to some companies not being able to pay their employees.

The department added that it expects timeous payment of salaries and the companies were evaluated based on their capabilities, which include financial and human capital.

According to the statement, a service level agreement pertaining to salaries is in place between the department and the companies.

It also cited that the provincial treasury has been engaged and guidance was given by the office of the Premier.

Meetings were also held with the service providers to urgently resolve the matter.

The press release concluded with an undertaking that the affected service providers would have been paid by no later than 1 February.

An appeal was made to affected stakeholders, including labour movements and employees, to bear with government during these difficult times.

Mr Zondo contacted our sister newspaper, the Ridge Times, on Thursday, 30 January and said workers have gone back to work and their salaries are trickling in.

“Although we still have issues with our employers, we will deal directly with the company,” Mr Zondo added.

The Standerton Advertiser sent an e-mail to the CEO of the hospital, Mr Nhlanhla Dladla, on 29 January, enquiring about any effect the strike had on service delivery.

The newspaper also asked if the staff were coping with reassuring patients about the situation outside.

In Mr Moeti Mmusi of the DCSSL’s second press release, the department confirmed that all its contracted security service providers had been paid.

It also said the current payments were for services rendered for December and invoices were submitted in January this year, and not yet overdue since the department was within the prescribed payment period.

An expectation was raised of employees in the Gert Sibande District of returning to sites immediately.

The MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Ms Gabisile Shabalala, condemned the sporadic incidents of violence in some of the affected security sites and the restriction of access by clients and users of the sites.

Ms Shabalala noted with disappointment the behaviour of some individuals, who were preventing staff and patients to enter or leave some of the facilities.

“Communities should refrain from infringing upon the rights of others during protests,” she said.

“It is barbaric for people to be prevented from entering any health facilities.

“Such behaviour is unacceptable because it may endanger other people’s lives.”

She however applauded the provincial treasury and executive council for their assistance and guidance during this time.

Mr Zondo concurred on 30 January that they had received reports about payments to employees, and although the guards still have some internal problems with their respective employers, they halted the protests.

He thanked the trade unions Cosatu and Nehawu for joining the Satawu members and thus strengthening their ranks.

Mr Zondo said a meeting between the various stakeholders took place in Ermelo on Wednesday, 29 January where they agreed to end the strike action.

According to him, provincial union leaders were to meet the MEC of the department on 31 January to discuss ways to prevent future non-payments.

He said the protests last week did not affect patients, although some nursing staff joined them in support of their cause.

Also read:

https://standertonadvertiser.co.za/100484/security-officers-burn-tyres-front-standerton-hospital/