WATCH: NUMSA backs NEHAWU strikes – Phakamile Hlubi-Majola
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One of South Africa’s largest unions, NUMSA, has come out in support of the continued strikes in the health sector by NEHAWU workers.
NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said that the union “stands in solidarity with all striking workers in the public sector, we support the demands made by NEHAWU and all other trade unions that have embarked on the strike”
Hlubi-Majola pointed out that government had reneged on the final year of a three year wage agreement. “We understand the provocation that led to the drastic action”.
ANC “must take full responsibility” – Irvin Jim
Irvin Jim had issued a statement where he said that “the demand for a 10% increase is completely justified and that this government must act with speed to resolve the strike, by putting a meaningful wage increase on the table.”
He continued;
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when workers in the health sector were risking their lives, working overtime without protective clothing, this government had the nerve to deny them a wage increase! They did this whilst ANC cadres and those with political connections to the leadership of the governing party looted state coffers to the tune of R13 billion on personal protective equipment which was meant to benefit health workers and keep them safe. And they followed up this disgusting behaviour by imposing a 3% increase, without support from the majority of unions in 2022 on all workers in the public sector.
“The ANC must take full responsibility for this strike” he concluded.
Full NUMSA statement
