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Motsoaledi condemns unruly striking health workers

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Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, says under no circumstances should health professionals be allowed to endanger the safety of patients while striking.

This follows recent disruptive actions by striking workers at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital.

Members of the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union including nurses, cleaners, and porters were protesting over non-payment of overtime and performance bonuses.

Protesters threw litter in the hospital‚ leaving rubbish and medical waste scattered on the floors.

Motsoaledi says although their grievances are legitimate, trashing a hospital and endangering the safety of vulnerable patients is unacceptable.

“It does not matter what your grievances with the employer are. You don’t go punishing ordinary members of the public by vandalising the area where they are vulnerable. When humans are in hospital they are vulnerable. It doesn’t matter what you can claim the government has done to you as a health worker; you don’t do that to ordinary people. I am not saying employers must go around oppressing people and not giving them what they want but I am saying if you are a health worker you have taken that oath.”

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