South African Emergency Personnel’s Union (SAEPU) calls on EMS workers to take charge of their lives and close the stations where personnel tested positive for Covid-19 if the employer is failing to comply. We are shocked to note that EMS stations with positive cases are being fumigated while personnel are busy with calls, others close for few hours during the fumigation and members who made contact with those who tested positive are not tested until they show signs and symptoms of the virus.
We are now experiencing a high rate of positive cases in Gauteng, Midrand control centre and managers are nowhere to be found. In Free State, Sasolburg, district manager vanished because other members tested positive. It is unfortunate because our members are managed by people who cannot take responsibility until you run after them.
It is clear that our members are not taken care of and are on their own. We urge them to make unpopular decisions of closing the stations if one of them tested positive. We also urge our members to self-quarantine after being in contact with colleagues who tested positive.
We want to condemn the statement of managers who are alleging that members want to abuse the system because of self-quarantine. They must not forget that self-quarantining is one of the measures to help contain the outbreak.
We are saying EMS workers lives matter just like any other essential workers lives.
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Issued by SAEPU
For inquiries Contact
Makuwa Kgaladi
076 478 1064/065 863 2494
Email: saepu.headoffice@gmail.com