The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Eastern Cape supports the march organized by one of its affiliated unions, the South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU), to be held on 26 January 2023.

Members of SAMATU in the Eastern Cape will be united in action to highlight their plight as doctors in the health sector. This march is part of the SAMATU National Day of Action as declared by the union’s National Executive Committee.

There is high and rising unemployment of doctors in the face of chronic understaffing in state hospitals. This situation leads to strain and burn out on the part of the employed staff, while negatively impacting on healthcare services to patients.

SAMATU’ s decision to embark on the Day of Action comes after extensive engagements with relevant authorities, including the National Department of Health, which have not yielded positive results.

We are calling upon COSATU affiliates, Alliance partners and Organs of Civil Society to support the march in an effort to address the plight of doctors and other healthcare workers.

Details of the march are as follows:

09h00 – Marchers assemble at Fort Hare Sports Field, Bhisho where Alliance partners will deliver messages of support.

11h30 – March commences (Fort Hare Sports Field to Office of The Premier).

12h00 – Handing over of memorandum to Office of The Premier.

Issued by COSATU Eastern Cape

Mkhawuleli Maleki
COSATU Provincial Secretary
Mobile: 082 339 5482
Email: mkhawuleli@cosatu.org.za