NEHAWU STRUGGLE FOR SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS FINALLY PAYS OFF AT CIVITAS
Khaya Xaba (Khaya@nehawu.org.za)
|
|
NEHAWU National Education Health & Allied Workers’ Union
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARIAT
E-Mail: Secre...@nehawu.org.za |
NEHAWU House 33 Hoofd Street 3rd Floor, Forum iv Braampark P.O. Box 10812 Johannesburg, 2000
Tel: (011) 833-2902 Fax:(011) 833-0757
Website: www.nehawu.org.za |
MEDIA STATEMENT - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEHAWU STRUGGLE FOR SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS FINALLY PAYS OFF AT CIVITAS
Monday January 04, 2021
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) welcomes the decision by the Department of Health to relocate its members and workers from the unsafe Civitas Building to a much safer building.
The department will be relocating to a new building in the Pretoria CBD as from the 1st March 2020. The building did not comply with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act and majority of our members and workers were exposed to unsafe working conditions and health hazards.
The decision comes after relentless pressure from the national union that lasted just over two years despite the fact the Chief Inspector from the Department of Employment and Labour declared the building unsafe for occupation. Our struggle to move workers from the building started during the tenure of Dr Aaron Motsoaledi who was the then Minister of Health who did eventually give in to our demand to move workers to a safer building. However, during the tenure of the current Minister, we had to start from scratch and fight once more for the health and safety of our members and workers in that building.
After a protracted fight, a task team which included NEHAWU leaders was established to expedite the process to relocate workers. We are elated that our struggle for our members and workers to work in safe conditions is bearing fruits and we hope that this victory will inspire other workers working in unsafe conditions to continue fighting until victory is achieved.
As NEHAWU, we will intensify of our struggle for improved working conditions. Furthermore, we will redouble our efforts in fighting for the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), compliance with the OHS Act, including stopping employers who compel workers to work in unsafe and dilapidated buildings.
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
Zola Saphetha (General Secretary) at 082 558 5968; December Mavuso (Deputy General Secretary) at 082 558 5969; Khaya Xaba (NEHAWU National Spokesperson) at 082 455 2500 or email: kh...@nehawu.org.za Visit NEHAWU website: www.nehawu.org.za
This message contains information which is confidential, legally privileged, and protected by law. It is intended only for the use of the intended recipient. Interception thereof is therefore illegal. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not peruse, use, disseminate, distribute or copy this message or any file attached to this message. Should you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately by return e-mail. Views and opinions expressed in this e-mail are those of the sender unless clearly stated as being that of NEHAWU.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful.
This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast Ltd, an innovator in Software as a Service (SaaS) for business. Providing a safer and more useful place for your human generated data. Specializing in; Security, archiving and compliance. To find out more Click Here.