Nehawu claims the department has not integrated community health professionals 2023

According to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), Minister of Health Dr. Joe Phaahla’s Health Budget Vote for the fiscal year 2023/24 is unimpressive and reflects the overall health crisis facing South Africa’s healthcare system.

The general secretary of the union, Zola Saphetha, stated that the union rejects and rejects Phaahla’s claim that the government is working on enduring solutions to appoint Community Health Workers (CHWs).

Saphetha asserts that Phaahla lied to the general public.

“In fact, the NDoH and the National Minimum Wage Commission intend to establish a sectoral determination for CHWs, contrary to Section 55 (7) (a) of the BCEA, which states that Phaahla may not publish a sectoral determination – covering employees and employers bound by a collective agreement concluded by a bargaining council,” Saphetha stated.

Tuesday, Phaahla presented his budget resolution to the National Assembly. He stated that the department employed just under 5,000 CHW and was aware of the need for more.