The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has learned with profound shock, anger and sadness of the reported death of Ms Gcina Dhladhla, an employee at Cartrack’s Head Office in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

Ms Dhladhla had reportedly informed management that she was experiencing serious health challenges and had been absent from work due to illness. Disturbing allegations further suggest that rather than receiving the necessary support and accommodation, she was subjected to disciplinary action and warned about her attendance record.

It is alleged that last week, fearing possible disciplinary consequences and the loss of her employment, she reported for duty despite her deteriorating health condition. Reports indicate that she was later discovered unconscious in a workplace bathroom and that emergency medical intervention may not have been implemented with the urgency and preparedness required under occupational health and safety standards.

While the full facts remain the subject of investigation, these allegations raise serious concerns regarding workplace health and safety, the treatment of sick employees, and the duty of care owed by employers to workers.

COSATU Condemns Any Form of Intimidation Against Sick Workers

Workers are not machines.

They are human beings whose labour creates wealth and sustains companies. No worker should ever be placed in a position where they must choose between protecting their health and protecting their income.

The rights to dignity, fair labour practices, safe working conditions and access to sick leave are protected by the Constitution, labour legislation and occupational health and safety regulations. Any workplace culture that intimidates workers for falling ill undermines these fundamental rights and erodes the values of decent work for which generations of workers have struggled and sacrificed.

COSATU Calls for Urgent Accountability

COSATU therefore demands:

An Immediate Independent Investigation

The Department of Employment and Labour must urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy, including the company’s sick leave policies, disciplinary practices, workplace health and safety procedures, and emergency response mechanisms.

A Comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety Inspection

Authorities must establish whether the employer complied fully with all statutory obligations relating to workplace safety, first aid readiness, emergency medical response and employee welfare.

Accountability Where Negligence Is Established

Should any investigation find evidence of negligence, coercion, misconduct or breaches of labour and safety legislation, appropriate legal, civil and criminal consequences must follow without fear or favour.

Justice and Support for the Family

The family of Ms Dhladhla deserves truth, dignity and justice.

Every effort must be made to support them during this painful period and to ensure that they receive all benefits and protections due to them under the law.

Industry-Wide Review of Workplace Practices

This tragedy must serve as a wake-up call to all employers.

Workplace policies must prioritise human life, dignity and wellbeing above productivity targets and disciplinary quotas. Sick leave is a hard-won worker right, not a management concession.

Workers Are Human Beings, Not Disposable Instruments of Production

The death of a worker under circumstances where concerns were allegedly raised about her health is deeply disturbing and demands the attention of the entire labour movement.

As trade unions, we have fought for generations against workplaces that treat workers as expendable commodities. Every worker has the right to return home safely and with dignity at the end of each working day.

No family should receive a call informing them that a loved one has died while trying to protect their livelihood.

COSATU will engage with the affected family, workers at the company, relevant authorities and our affiliates to ensure that all facts are uncovered and that justice is pursued wherever wrongdoing is found.

The labour movement will not remain silent when workers’ lives are placed at risk. The struggle for safe workplaces, humane working conditions and the dignity of labour remains as urgent today as ever.

An injury to one is an injury to all.

Issued by COSATU 

Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za