Durban — The Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) has demanded that Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane visit Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital after they have written “countless” letters to the department complaining about working conditions.
PSA provincial chairperson Mlungisi Ndlovu said their members are demanding Simelane to visit the institution.
In a letter addressed to the head of the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department Dr Sandile Tshabalala, he said that their issues include, deteriorating infrastructure, including the falling apart of buildings and inadequate facilities, and the internal issues within the hospital management.
The letter further said that there are severe shortages of nurses, doctors, and admin support due to a moratorium on filling positions, compromising patient care and staff well-being.
“Regular robberies and hijackings of outreach staff put their lives at risk. Long queues and unsafe parking at Prince Memorial Hospital, caused frustration and anxiety for patients and staff. Ongoing car break-ins within the hospital premises indicate a lack of security. Ill-treatment of staff, including bullying and intimidation, creates a toxic work environment.
“We urgently request a meeting on June 26, 2024, to discuss these matters and investigate the allegations of victimisation, bullying, and staff shortages. We also demand respect for collective bargaining rights, which have been disregarded by Labour Relations and management,” read the letter.
Ndlovu said immediate attention is needed to address these issues and ensure a safe and healthy work environment for “our” members.
In another letter, Ndlovu highlighted that it had come to their attention that 29 ICU staff members at the hospital have been informed by human resources that there will be deductions made for leave without pay, despite these employees refusing to be charged for days in question and are all in possession of medical certificates. To make things even worse there is no consent to deduct, it read.
“Our members have been subjected to leave without pay, deducted by Human Resources upon the instruction of management. Our members have received payslips with leave without pay deductions, which is over 50% of their basic salary.”
He further said that those deductions emanate from the sick leaves where employees are in possession of the doctor’s sick notes and to make things worse the matter has been dealt with through disciplinary procedures and at the same time the matter is dealt with administratively, which he said amounts to double jeopardy.
Ndlovu said that this action is a direct violation of Section 34(1) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), which prohibits employers from making deductions from an employee’s remuneration without their written consent, except where the deduction is required or permitted by law, collective agreement, court order, or arbitration award.
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