PRETORIA – The Department of Health Head of Corporate Services Tiny Rennie stated the department is working on the recommendations given to them by building inspectors.
Trade Union Nehawu says workers at the Health Department head office in Pretoria are being forced to go back to work in unsafe conditions.
The department has countered by saying they are trying to make the Civitas Building compliant with safety regulations but were only presented with the final inspection report recommendations on 15 January.R
The inspection report recommended that employees be temporarily moved while the building was fixed.
One person died in November after experiencing breathing problems.
Nehawu says they’ve tried to engage with Health Department officials, with little success.
Rennie explained the final inspection report was presented after numerous delays and the department is in the process of relocating health workers from the unsafe offices.
She stated the relocation process would be completed by next week.
Workers have withdrawn services and the department has issued a draft agreement to organised labour to negotiate a return to work.
Rennie stated the unions have not officially responded to the draft agreement.
“There is no report we are hiding,” Rennie said.
The department will meet with workers’ representatives on Friday to present the final inspection report.
ENCA