Trade union, the Public Servants Association (PSA) is calling out government for the continued employment of Cuban doctors while South Africa faces high rates of unemployment.

The PSA claimed the Gauteng Department of Health was hiring Cuban doctors “at extremely high salaries without justification”.

“The Gauteng Department of Health has appointed doctors from Cuba at a rate of R14-million per annum. These monies could have been used to employ and pay South African doctors, especially in the country’s current economic state and an unprecedented unemployment rate,” it said.

It added that the agreement between South Africa and Cuba could not continue in light of South Africa’s own employment challenges.

It said the Health Department should “act responsibly” towards South Africans and rather look to provide employment to them.

“The country’s resources should be channelled towards addressing its internal problems such as unemployment and poverty. Government should prioritise unemployed South African citizens, including many qualified youths, for employment opportunities in their own country,” the PSA said.