More than 100 contract workers in the provincial health department could soon be without jobs.
The employees, who spoke to the Saturday Dispatch on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said they had been promised permanent employment from yesterday.
Instead, they claimed that all the department had done was offer to renew their contracts for a further two months.
The 121 workers include admin, registry and finance clerks as well as personal assistants and human resources employees.
A circular dated September 2 2015, which the Dispatch has seen, states the need to comply with the new labour relations amendment announced last year which makes it illegal for temporary or contract employment to last more than three months without a justifiable reason.
The circular suggests, in order to oblige with the new law, that contracts be extended to the end of March or until the department is able to absorb the employees where there is a need, whichever comes first.
It further states: “Employees whose contracts were still running on April 1 2015 and beyond, earning below the threshold of R205433, were deemed as permanent”.
Health spokesman Siyanda Manana said the matter was being addressed.
“There are still some things that need to be finalised with the unions. We are mindful of the labour relations act, but internal processes are still under way as we speak,” he said.
However the contract employees, some of who started working for the department in 2007, said they did not know what to do. Some said they would not report for work as it would be hard to claim a salary as they were not covered by a contract.
“I’m not sure if this is a crisis or if it’s just carelessness from the department,” said one employee.
He said the proposed two-month contract renewal was a straight stipend with no benefits.
Manana said there had been no communication from the department that the employees should not come to work and as such they were expected to turn up.
Another employee said: “There was a circular even last June that said we should be absorbed, but the department said they did not have money and instead asked to renew our contracts until the next financial year. This time around we have no idea what’s going to happen.”
The employee said it felt like the department was “playing games” with them as in the past when posts were advertised and they applied, outside candidates would be employed instead.
She said some of the contract workers were trying to organise a meeting with officials at Bhisho to clarify the matter.
Another employee said he was concerned about his uncertain future, as he would not be able to afford his rent without the job. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
Contract workers facing the chop
The employees, who spoke to the Saturday Dispatch on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, said they had been promised permanent employment from yesterday.
Instead, they claimed that all the department had done was offer to renew their contracts for a further two months.
The 121 workers include admin, registry and finance clerks as well as personal assistants and human resources employees.
A circular dated September 2 2015, which the Dispatch has seen, states the need to comply with the new labour relations amendment announced last year which makes it illegal for temporary or contract employment to last more than three months without a justifiable reason.
The circular suggests, in order to oblige with the new law, that contracts be extended to the end of March or until the department is able to absorb the employees where there is a need, whichever comes first.
It further states: “Employees whose contracts were still running on April 1 2015 and beyond, earning below the threshold of R205433, were deemed as permanent”.
Health spokesman Siyanda Manana said the matter was being addressed.
“There are still some things that need to be finalised with the unions. We are mindful of the labour relations act, but internal processes are still under way as we speak,” he said.
However the contract employees, some of who started working for the department in 2007, said they did not know what to do. Some said they would not report for work as it would be hard to claim a salary as they were not covered by a contract.
“I’m not sure if this is a crisis or if it’s just carelessness from the department,” said one employee.
He said the proposed two-month contract renewal was a straight stipend with no benefits.
Manana said there had been no communication from the department that the employees should not come to work and as such they were expected to turn up.
Another employee said: “There was a circular even last June that said we should be absorbed, but the department said they did not have money and instead asked to renew our contracts until the next financial year. This time around we have no idea what’s going to happen.”
The employee said it felt like the department was “playing games” with them as in the past when posts were advertised and they applied, outside candidates would be employed instead.
She said some of the contract workers were trying to organise a meeting with officials at Bhisho to clarify the matter.
Another employee said he was concerned about his uncertain future, as he would not be able to afford his rent without the job. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
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