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COSATU in the Eastern Cape takes this opportunity to wish nurses all the best on the International Nurses Day. This is a day dedicated to the nurses of the world in appreciation of their role and contribution in the society.

Nurses play an important role in our society as carers who ensure that the well-being of the patient is prioritized at the Health Centres, both public and private. We applaud them for their commitment in ensuring that we have a healthy society. We appreciate them for their dedication in the line of duty. We admire them for their bravery dealing with difficult and frightening situations. They do all this because they prioritize saving lives of the people. We encourage them to keep that light shining brighter in the footsteps of Florence Nightingale, Cecilia Makiwane, Dora Nginza and others.

Since the emergence of COVID 19, the spotlight to inadequate safety conditions they work under. Safety in their working environment is inadequate makes them vulnerable to infection and subsequent transmission of diseases. Safety of front-line workers must be a priority in order for us to win the fight against the COVID 19 pandemic, 

Nurses are observing the Nurses Day while licking the wounds from the non-implementation of Resolution 1 of 2018. Our Provincial Congress in January this year declared to embark on action to address the plight of workers who are affected by this pain of non-implementation. Forward we shall march to put pressure on government to pay workers accordingly as well as those who in the private sector who are following government in their actions.

We call upon the Eastern Cape Government to prioritize the safety of the front-line workers, particularly as the new wave of Covid 19 is emerging. Nurses are our soldiers in the battle against COVID 19 an all-other diseases and ailments. We cannot afford to lose soldiers and still hope to win the war against COVID 19 which is ravaging our workplaces and communities. 

We wish all nurses a happy and safe International Nurses Day.

Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape