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Manto: Nurses intimidated
12/06/2007 15:22 - (SA)
Cape Town - Nurses are being intimidated to strike by some elements despite the fact they are being offered considerably more than they are asking for, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Tuesday.
Speaking in the National Council of Provinces, she said proposals for health workers on the table in the public sector wage negotiations included salary increases for nurses by up to 39%, in some cases, even before the addition of whatever percentage was eventually agreed on across the board.
"The unions know this also, and this is the reason why there is such intimidation in the health sector.
"Nurses cannot take strike (action) for 12% when they are likely to get more that what they are asking for.
"Even the conditions of employment - through the hospital revitalisation programme in particular - have been improved," she said. Ethical responsibility
Tshabalala-Msimang appealed to striking health workers to return to work, reminding them of their ethical responsibilities.
"While we would like our health workers to earn a decent living, it is important that they respect the needs of the patients.
"Health is an essential service. This is well known to all health workers," she said.
In addition, there was an ethical responsibility on all health workers to ensure the interests of patients were put before their own.
"I wish to call on all health workers to return to work immediately so that our people who need health services can again access it."
She thanked all those health workers who had remained true to their calling and did not go on strike or intimidate others wanting to work during the current industrial action by the public sector.
- SAPA
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