EPWP workers demand permanent employment
The union said it would no longer tolerate the abuse of its members by managers and facility managers who continue to threaten them and subject them to inhumane working conditions. They said that they expect to hear from the chief director within seven days.
SEBOKENG – Hundreds of irate EPWPs working under the Gauteng Department of Health say enough is enough with exploitation, calling for the department to employ them permanently, with benefits. The contractors demonstrated their dismay through a march led by the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) along Moshoeshoe Road on 30 April.
The memorandum of grievances was to be handed over to the acting chief director of Health Services in the Sedibeng District, Sonwabo Lindani.
The marchers are workers contracted at the Sebokeng Hospital, Kopanong Hospital, as well as various other clinics in the region.
In the memorandum that was read out by Thabang Moneuoa, the deputy chair of NUPSAW in Emfuleni, workers highlighted that they had been contracted to the department for over 10 years, with no benefits, including UIF.
NUPSAW said it is aware of the shortage of staff at all facilities, stating that EPWPs were being used to cover that gap.
“We have been getting the same stipend for the past 10 years, even despite the continuously rising cost of living. We demand that while waiting for permanent absorption, the stipend be increased to R5 000. We further demand that we be employed permanently. Additionally, we demand that our workers be registered with the Department Employment and Labour so that they can qualify for UIF.”
The union said it would no longer tolerate the abuse of its members by managers and facility managers who continue to threaten them and subject them to inhumane working conditions. They said that they expect to hear from the chief director within seven days.
Sonwabo stated that he was aware of the situation and alerted the workers that the Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, had directed all managers to absorb EPWPs that qualify as soon as vacancies are available. Lindani said this is why the contractors had to focus on developing their skills in the meantime.
He signed and accepted the memorandum and further promised to respond to the EPWP workers through their leaders.
