By BAKANG MOKOTO

5 November 2024- North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said he is elated to announce that all outstanding 30% exceeding overtime payments, will be paid fully to all employees including nurses and doctors. Lehari and his management have been engaging both labour unions and all healthcare professionals to ensure negotiations are conducted peacefully.

He further said the announcement to unions comes after prolonged discussions for approval of payments with the Office of the Minister of Public Service and Administration (PSA), Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, Provincial Treasury and Office of the Premier. Lehari added that they have convened an urgent meeting with leaders of labour unions to announce this pleasant news.

“This is one of the first issues I found on my desk upon arrival in this department. I am glad that it has now been resolved. We are all aware that government processes take time and we also know that consultation is very crucial when dealing with public funds.

“It may have seemed as if we were moving at a snail pace, but we were not. I want to thank all of you here, that even under extreme pressure to go on strike, you remained very disciplined, understanding the oath you took, to save lives at all material times” he said.

Lehari then announced that a Monitoring Task Team composed of senior departmental managers, representation from all six unions and other stakeholders, should be established to assess and verify employees’ claims and oversee all payments to ensure the process is transparent, fair and hoist an element of accountability. He said his department has budgeted over R51 million to compensate workers, who have rendered their services beyond the 30% overtime payment requirements.

“I need to stress out that as unions, you are now part of the team that will ensure that the process is fast tracked, while eliminating all financial risks. We are working on ensuring that we inject more nurses into the system so that you are not required to be overstretched and work so many hours without immediate compensation,” said Lehari.

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