Social Development workers shut down offices – eNCA

Members of Nehawu burning tyres outside the offices of Gauteng Social Development. Photo: eNCA / Bafana Nzimande

Nehawu demands improved working conditions for child and youth care workers. Photo: eNCA / Bafana Nzimande

JOHANNESBURG Workers at the Department of Social Development belonging to the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union have embarked on a nationwide strike.

Nehawu members declared a total shutdown of the Social Development offices in Johannesburg on Friday morning, burning tyres in the process.

They are demanding improved working conditions for child and youth care workers.

READ: Nehawu gears for national strike in Social Development sector

The union says its demands were first tabled to the employer in August 2015 and this year, on February 10, their members stageda nation-wide protest to resubmit the demands.

The union has accused the department of releasing an insulting propaganda statement after failing to table a counter offer to their proposal, which the department had for a month.

Nehawu members are demanding the following:

1. Placement of assistant community development practitioners (Masupatsela cadres) at the correct salary level.

2. Entry level for support staff from salary level 5 to 6.

3. Abolition of salary levels 2 and 3 for support staff.

4. The immediate roll-out of uniforms for cleaners and security officers.

5. The review of occupation specific dispensation (OSD) for social service professionals and occupations.

6. The introduction of a rural allowance.

7. The provision of tools of the trade.

8. The absorption of unemployed social workers on a permanent basis.

9. The permanent employment of all employees who are under the gender-based violence command centre.

10. Improved conditions of service for all employees in the Department of Social Development.

11. The implementation of the 2015 Social Work Indaba resolutions.

12. The insourcing of all Public Secure Care Centres outsourced to Bosasa.

13. The protection and respect of our noble council for social service professionals.

eNCA

23 February 2017

The warning was made following the march of about 1000 Nehawu members, who marched on the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury in Pietermaritzburg to demand better conditions.

22 February 2017

The education and health workers believe their pay increases and job security will be affected by the finance minister's announcements.

01 February 2017

Nehawu said it plans to shut down all Western Cape National Student Financial Aid Scheme operations on Thursday, in the wake of the start of the new academic year.

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Social Development workers shut down offices - eNCA