The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) have noted the announcement made by the State President on the stimulus package. Chief among our grievances is the lack of recognition and appreciation of extensive work done by the essential services at various levels and all public servants. It is incontrovertible that without the role of Health Care Workers the flattening of the Coved-19 curve will just be a dream. The office of the Presidency needs to urgently take the appropriate action necessary to ensure the implementation of PSCBC wage agreement effective 01 April 2020, recognition of CHWs by ensuring that they are paid accordingly on DPSA salary level 5, the payment of Covid-19 danger allowance and Tax relief for a period of six months to all Essential services who are at the front line, risking their life to protect the People of South Africa.

NUPSAW support the call for the implementation of the PSCBC wage agreement and all the demands of the essential services including the CHWs. NUPSAW have for many years been leading a campaign at the Department of Health and Social Development to recognise the role of the CHWs and end exploitation by employing them on permanent basis on DPSA salary level 5.

Our members have held regular marches, protests and pickets to highlight the crises they are confronted with and the austerity measures imposed by the government. These campaigns saw the signing of resolution 1 of 2018 PHSDSBC on the standardisation of remuneration through a persal system. Furthermore, we tried to intervene when the Department of Social Development refused to implement the resolution, but they refused completely to implement the resolution. While other Provinces complied with resolution 1 of 2018 PHSDSBC Western Cape Province refused to comply. We strongly condemn the decision of the Western Cape government with the strongest term in deserve, by acting like a federal state in the Republic of South Africa. We are calling for the President to intervene as the National Department of Health and PHSDSBC failed completely to enforce compliance.

In addition to the above action taken, NUPSAW has declared a dispute of mutual interest for CHWs to be absorbed on DPSA salary level 5 and we are in possession of PHSDSBC certificate of non-resolution which permits CHWs in the Country to embark on a legal strike.

In light of the above NUPSAW is officially submitting the following grievances for your attention and speedy solution to avert the impasse.

1. The immediate implementation of last phase PSCBC wage agreement.

2. Provision of adequate PPEs across health facilities

3. The immediate payment of Covid-19 danger allowance

4. Tax relief for a period of six months to all essential services

5. Provision of transport to all essential services using public transport to minimise the risk of them being infected.

6. Enforcement of resolution 1 of 2018 PHSDSBC in the Western Cape and in the Department of Social Development.

Having said we are giving you till Thursday 30 April 2020 to reply to the above listed grievances.