In an affidavit to the labour court, the health minister says National Health and Allied Workers Union did not check the facts on the ground.
No healthcare worker is being made to work without the necessary and required protective equipment, said Health Minister Zweli Mkhize in court papers on Tuesday.by the National Health and Allied Workers Union to the labour court over a lack of personal protective equipment against Covid-19 in hospitals across the country.
But Mkhize said the application was an abuse of the court because it “ignored the hard facts on the ground”. In Nehawu’s founding affidavit, Saphetha said that, after the announcement of the lockdown, Nehawu had “observed and recorded many cases of healthcare workers, including its members, working in circumstances which expose them to occupational risk without the necessary PPE.” He listed a number of hospitals and clinics at which healthcare workers were without the proper protective gear — some had no gowns; others had no masks and sanitisers.
Mkhize also refuted Saphetha’s allegation that he has refused to have discussions with Nehawu, detailing the history of the interaction between his department and the union. He also details the discussions at provincial level between the unions and provincial departments. “I reiterate once again that no individual working in the health sector is made to work without being provided with the necessary and requisite PPE,” 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.
Mkhize announces total Covid-19 infections in SA now at 1,749, with one more deathThe health minister has said the situation at a KZN hospital may mean parts of it will need to be closed down.
Read more »
Coronavirus cases climb to 1686 - health minister Zweli MkhizeThe health ministry revealed the figures on Monday evening, adding that the coronavirus deaths have also risen.
Read more »
WATCH: Comply with lockdown regulations, Mkhize urgesHealth Minister Zweli Mkhize reminded the nation to comply with the national lockdown regulations.
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 »
Coronavirus in SA: Mkhize confirms 70 more cases, 2 more deathsSouth Africa has recorded 1 655 confirmed cases of coronavirus, an increase of 70 from the previously reported cases, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Sunday.
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 »