Healthcare workers facing a crisis of dignity, says Denosa

Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) said that workers are not only facing financial strain, but also an erosion of their dignity.

Deputy President Simphiwe Gada was the keynote speaker on Friday Workers’ Day rally organised by COSATU.

He said that while 12 million people are unemployed, many of those who are working are doing so just to survive.

Gada has called on all workers to unite in the struggle against economic liberation.

"We want to say, comrades, the reality on the ground that you comrades must take is the fact that parents are skipping meals so that children can eat. They live from one tent to the other and that cannot continue, comrades. We are saying that workers are stressed, workers are exhausted and they are anxious," said Gada.

Gada also called on government to expand the range of foods in the non-taxable basket.

"The food prices have got to be reviewed. We have got to look at implementing strategies that widen the food basket for non-taxable food. So those are things that will bring relief to worker comrades," said Gada.