South Africa’s health department reports that the South African Labour Appeal Court has ordered striking state healthcare employees to end a week-long walkout that had impacted services in some of the nation’s main hospitals.
Following the failure of wage negotiations with the government, members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) went on protest last week.
The health department reported on Sunday that insufficient nursing and secretarial support staff participation was hampering clinical operations.
The department stated on Monday that the court order will aid in stabilizing services at the impacted hospitals.
According to the statement, striking employees must report to work by Tuesday morning.
South Africa’s health minister, Joe Phaahla, stated that the strike had disrupted the delivery of crucial healthcare services in the nation, causing untold suffering and aggravation among the populace who sorely required medical care and life-saving treatment.
He said at a press conference that the labour relations act forbids essential employees from going on strike because doing so would harm healthcare services and put lives in danger.
According to the local media SABC News, the government proposed 4.7% while the union demanded a 10% pay increase.