South Africa cannot be beholden to unions like Nehawu which are threatening lives

9 March 2023                  

ActionSA is extremely concerned about the ongoing strike action by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) which is placing the lives of patients, doctors and other healthcare workers in danger.

Strike action by Nehawu this week saw thousands of patients being turned away from hospitals and basic healthcare facilities, and in one case striking workers resorted to pulling an injured child from an ambulance in KwaDukuza. This is not legitimate protest action, but criminal barbarism.

The ANC government have created a situation where the state succumbs to the fickleness of labour unions through the tri-partied alliance where Cosatu and affiliates are senior members of government. Nehawu is therefore striking against itself as its own representatives can be found in cushy jobs in government.

South Africa has arrived at this situation precisely because the ANC has allowed unions to run rampant, and they were left unchecked when they violated the rights of others because the ANC needed their support in elections.

We have seen the devastating consequences of this arrangement with teachers union Sadtu wreaking havoc in education, and Satawu bringing the country’s logistics operations to a near standstill.

ActionSA maintains its belief that South Africa cannot be beholden to the whims of labour unions, and that the country’s draconian labour laws should be reformed to lessen the stranglehold labour unions have over key sectors of the economy.

Labour unions have a key role to play in a democratic dispensation, as they have played in the struggle against Apartheid, but this role cannot be at the expense of other people in society.

When ActionSA is elected into government in 2024, we vow that our policies will not be dictated by trade unions, but we will make decisions in the best interest of the people of South Africa.

For too long the ANC government has attempted to keep labour unions happy at the expense of our people, and ActionSA will ensure that this situation comes to an end.

Issued by Herman Mashaba, President, ActionSA, 9 March 2023