THE Gauteng Department of Health has come under sharp scrutiny for its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
Yesterday, the leadership of the Independent Liberation and Allied Workers Union (Ilawu) and members picketed outside Hillbrow Clinic.
Operations were disrupted at the medical facility as patients queued outside while the members blockaded the entrance, singing Struggle songs.
The workers were picketing for permanent employment; they argued that the department has been giving them fixed term contracts for over 10 years.
Ilawu secretary-general Siphamandla Masimula said they had to raise their unhappiness about the continuous lack of permanent recognition of the EPWP workers.
“The EPWP workers have been the pillar under this health department ever since the EPWP programme started, 10 years ago.”
The union said the EPWP workers have risked their lives in the Covid-19 pandemic, while servicing different communities in the Department of Health.
“In fact, some of the EPWP workers have lost their lives on duty during this pandemic and yet they still continue to be not permanently recognised by the Department of Health.”
Masimula said that the progressive vision of former health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku to absorb and recognise the EPWP workers as permanent workers of the department should remain a priority and be realised.
Top of their demands is that all the EPWP workers be immediately employed on a permanent basis and absorbed in the same way that the community health-care workers were absorbed.
The union’s memorandum highlighted that the union demanded that all the EPWP workers be immediately given the Covid-19 allowance, as they continue to risk their lives during the pandemic.
“We demand that all the EPWP workers who lost their lives on duty as a result of Covid-19 be immediately compensated as per the Compensation of Injuries on Duty Act.”
The union also demanded that all the EPWP workers should qualify for all the benefits enjoyed by the health-care workers.
As the picket gained momentum, an official from the Department of Health was said to be on his way to address the crowd. However, this did not materialise. Masimula said the union felt aggrieved.
“This is something we do not appreciate, especially considering what the EPWP workers have gone through.”
Masimula said the pandemic had claimed the lives of four EPWP workers.
“The former MEC Dr Masuku was on a mission to absorb these workers, but Premier Makhura decided to fire him.”
Masimula added that the union and its members would not rest until the department recognised the EPWP workers and gave them permanent employment.
Efforts to get comments from the Department of Health were unsuccessful.