Government-run Free State Psychiatric Complex in Mangaung Faces Staff Strike
Patients at the government-run Free State Psychiatric Complex in Mangaung have been left without care since Friday, as hospital staff have gone on strike. Nurses, ancillary workers, and laundry staff are accusing the government of shortpaying them, not compensating for overtime, and failing to convert some workers’ contracts into permanent positions as promised.
Eric Mothae, a nurse at the facility, has raised concerns about the management flouting labor practices, warning that the hospital’s lack of basic occupational safety practices could lead to its closure. He pointed out that other health facilities in the province have been shut down due to similar issues with occupational health and safety.
According to Mothae, the hospital’s infrastructure is also a cause for concern, with leaking ceilings, damaged walls, and overgrown grass surrounding the building. Free State health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi has assured that the hospital complex is undergoing refurbishment in phases, with plans to address the areas highlighted by the workers.
The main issue fueling the strike is the underpayment of workers, with Mothae claiming that employees are only being compensated for seven hours of work despite working 12-hour shifts. Workers have demanded back pay and have provided management with evidence of the amounts owed to each employee. However, the response from management has been that submissions need to be made to the relevant authorities before full payments can be processed.
Workers are not willing to wait for this bureaucratic process to unfold and have threatened to continue the strike until their grievances are addressed. They are also calling for the expedited conversion of contract workers into permanent positions to provide job security.
Another concern raised by workers is the lack of security at night, with claims of criminals entering the hospitals without being apprehended. Mvambi has refuted these allegations, stating that there have been no reported criminal incidents at the complex and that security measures are in place.
The office of the MEC and the Head of Department are expected to engage with the workers to resolve the issues at the earliest convenience. The situation remains tense as workers stand firm in their demands for fair treatment and better working conditions. – Health-e News
