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DENOSA KZN will return nurses to King Edward VIII Hospital if they are not reimbursed for transport costs for their relocation
Media statement
Thursday, 10 May 2018
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in KwaZulu-Natal is disturbed by yet another break in the promise by the provincial Department of Health in relation to non-payment of workers reimbursement following their relocation from King Edward Hospital VIII Hospital in October last year after heavy weather conditions damaged many units in the facility.
Many units had to close down and patients were transferred to other facilities and nurses working in those units were also moved to facilities where patients were transferred to. When this arrangement was done, the Department undertook to reimburse nurses who were being relocated for their transport costs every month.
“For nurses who worked at King Edward before, the relocation meant they were to incur more transport costs either through driving the distances which have become longer or by taking public transport. This was the understanding by both sides when this arrangement came about seven months ago,” says DENOSA Provincial Secretary, Mandla Shabangu.
“But until today those nurses continue to incur costs and the Department is not reimbursing them as per the undertaking.”
DENOSA met with the affected members yesterday and the conclusion is that, because they are made to pay for the damages that took place at King Edward VIII Hospital, the nurses must return to King Edward if the department does not come to the party and play its part by end of this month.
Taking nurses to King Edward VIII Hospital will merely be in line with the nurses’ conditions of employment in the first place.
End
Issued by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in KwaZulu-Natal
For more information and comment, contact:
Mandla Shabangu, DENOSA Provincial Secretary
Mobile: 071 643 3369
Tel: 031 305 1417
