Doctors gather for march

2009-05-29 12:32

Pretoria - Private and public sector doctors gathered in Pretoria on Friday to prepare to march to the department of health to protest against low wages and unsatisfactory employment conditions.

"The health system has collapsed," said co-ordinator of the march, Lizzy Kwenda.

Dressed in white gowns and black armbands, the doctors held placards reading: "Bus drivers earn more than doctors" and: "Public health needs cash injection".

Kwenda said the armbands symbolised the death of the health system.

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA said it supports the doctors' strike.

Frustrated

The Congress of SA Trade Unions co-ordinator for the public sector, Sifo Khumalo, said workers were frustrated by the health department's non-compliance to the occupational specific dispensation (OSD), a revised salary structure.

"All workers are frustrated, especially those who are affected by the OSD, like teachers, doctors and correctional services officials," said Khumalo.

Cosatu general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, was expected to join the march.

Doctors were also expected to march to the health department office in Bisho in the Eastern Cape and to the city hall in Durban.

- SAPA