Presidency receives memorandum of demands from protesting SAMTU members
Protesting healthcare workers have given the Presidency seven days to respond to their memorandum of demands.
The South African Medical Trade Union members marched to the Union Building over the high unemployment rate in the health sector on 26 February 2024. Picture: Screenshot
JOHANNESBURG - The office of the Presidency in Tshwane has received a memorandum of demands from disgruntled members of South African Medical Trade Union (SAMTU), which staged a protest over unemployment on Monday.
Essential services providers from various parts of the country marched from the Pretoria CBD to the Union Buildings to lay down several demands, including guaranteed absorption after internships, annual salary increases, retrospective payments from years preceding, among others.
"We want to heal the unhealthy healthcare of South Africa" was the slogan used by union members and marchers to cement their calls for employment and better working conditions.
Although their memorandum was received and signed by Presidency representative Philemon Mahlangu, the tight deadline of seven days set by the protesting healthcare providers could not be assured.
During his acceptance, Mahlangu called Dr Aaron Motsoaledi the Minister of Health, sending the crowd into a frenzy
"The memorandum will be presented not to me as I indicated but to the president. I've been made to believe that you have had several interventions and meetings with the Minister of Health Dr Motsoaledi."
With the clock ticking for President Cyril Ramaphosa to receive and accept their memorandum, the workers have vowed to down tools and return to the streets if no action is taken.