Union worried about increase in sexual harassment complaints in WC Health Dept
PSA spokesperson Koos Kruger said they had referred three sexual harassment cases to CCMA in February alone.
Picture: AFP
CAPE TOWN - The Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) has voiced its concerns about sexual harassment complaints in the Health and Wellness Department in the Western Cape.
The PSA is a trade union that represents more than 250,000 public servants.
Union spokesperson Koos Kruger said the safety and dignity of its members is of great importance.
He added that they have referred three sexual harassment cases to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in February alone.
“The PSA is very concerned about the rising cases of sexual harassment being reported by our members for the PSA to intervene. It is a duty of the Department of Health as an employer to ensure that the work environment is a safe space for employees to work and should act not only against sexual harassment, but should actually prevent any cases of sexual harassment in terms of the stipulations of the Employment Equity Act.”
Kruger said that the union will stand firm in protecting the rights of public servants.
“When matters are reported to them, we find that they are slow, sometimes taking months before they commence with an investigation whilst the perpetrator, alleged perpetrator, and our members are still in the same office, dealing with each other on a daily basis, this is unacceptable and should be addressed”
Eyewitness News contacted the Department of Health and Wellness in the Western Cape and is awaiting a response.