It has been more than two weeks since President Cyril Ramaphosa announced special measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Yet across the country workers at the frontline of fighting the virus still do not have personal protective equipment.
, saying the health and lives of healthcare workers were at risk, as was the health of everyone they come into contact with — their families, co-workers and people they meet as they travel to work.
In his affidavit — filed on Friday — Saphetha said the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the government’s own guidelines for the management of Covid-19 in the public service required that workers be provided with PPE when appropriate.After the announcement of the lockdown, “Nehawu has observed and recorded many cases of healthcare workers, including its members, working in circumstances which expose them to occupational risk without the necessary PPE,” said Saphetha.
“The latter carries with it uncertain consequences for employees … It also carries the risk that in the absence of guidelines from the first respondent [the health minister], health facilities and patients will suffer should healthcare workers refuse to carry out their functions in an unsafe environment,” the affidavit read.
“However, I informed him that given the applicant’s [Nehawu’s] previous formal requests to meet with the minister, which were not honoured with a meaningful response, any meeting between the parties should be with the presence of the minister,” he said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nehawu takes government to court for failing to provide health workers with PPEThe National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) says government is failing in its duties by not providing health workers with personal protective equipment (PPE).
Read more »
Nehawu takes government to court for failing to provide health workers with PPEThe National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) says government is failing in its duties by not providing health workers with personal protective equipment (PPE).
Read more »
COVID-19: Cosatu calls out Mkhize over workers' protectionCosatu is backing Nehawu in its court action against the health minister and provincial health MECs, to compel them to issue protective equipment.
Read more »
Nehawu’s claims on lack of protective equipment are spurious, says Mkhize - The Mail & GuardianIn an affidavit to the labour court, the health minister says National Health and Allied Workers Union did not check the facts on the ground.
Read more »
SA lockdown: Waste pickers lose urgent court bid to be declared an essential serviceThe Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, has turned down an application by Lawyers for Human Rights to have waste pickers declared an essential service during the 21-day national lockdown.
Read more »
Fight to buy newborn baby clothing during lockdown goes to ConCourtTwo organisations have launched an urgent application before the Constitutional Court in which they seek an order that shops which sell clothes for newborn babies be allowed to trade.
Read more »