R246 MILLION EXTRA WAGE COST FOR GAUTENG HEALTH WORKERS, BUT CAN'T DEDUCT FOR STRIKERS

The Gauteng Health Department has received R246 million for the extra 2.2% wage cost arising from the strike settlement earlier this year (note: this is the difference between the 5.3% increase budgeted for and the 7.5% to settle the strike).

This money is part of the adjusted budget recently tabled in the Gauteng Legislature.

But Gauteng Health MEC Ntombe Mekgwe was unable today in reply to my questions in the Legislature to give a figure for how much was not paid because of the no-work-no-pay rule.

According to Mekgwe, it was difficult to get accurate information from hospitals in order to make the deductions.

I think it is incredible that three months after the strike the proper deductions cannot be made for those striking workers who put the lives of patients at risk.

They certainly don't deserve to be paid, and the money that could be saved from not paying them is desperately needed elsewhere.

It shows the generally poor administration that needs to be radically improved to provide a decent health service in the province.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, Democratic Alliance Gauteng Health Spokesman, December 7 2010

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