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The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) welcomes the decision by the Department of Health to relocate its members and workers from the unsafe Civitas Building to a much safer building. 

The department will be relocating to a new building in the Pretoria CBD as from the 1st March 2020. The building did not comply with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act and majority of our members and workers were exposed to unsafe working conditions and health hazards.  

The decision comes after relentless pressure from the national union that lasted just over two years despite the fact the Chief Inspector from the Department of Employment and Labour declared the building unsafe for occupation. Our struggle to move workers from the building started during the tenure of Dr Aaron Motsoaledi who was the then Minister of Health who did eventually give in to our demand to move workers to a safer building. However, during the tenure of the current Minister, we had to start from scratch and fight once more for the health and safety of our members and workers in that building. 

After a protracted fight, a task team which included NEHAWU leaders was established to expedite the process to relocate workers. We are elated that our struggle for our members and workers to work in safe conditions is bearing fruits and we hope that this victory will inspire other workers working in unsafe conditions to continue fighting until victory is achieved. 

As NEHAWU, we will intensify of our struggle for improved working conditions. Furthermore, we will redouble our efforts in fighting for the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), compliance with the OHS Act, including stopping employers who compel workers to work in unsafe and dilapidated buildings.

Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat