The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulates its militant affiliate, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) for the historic victory to permanently appoint Community Healthcare Workers (CHWs) into the public service following the signing of an agreement between the Department of Health and NEHAWU. The signed settlement will see the appointment of thousands of eligible CHWs as of 1 September 2025, implementing the agreement in different phases.   

After numerous vigorous engagements with the department, NEHAWU took the long battle to recognise CHWs as permanent employees to the Labour Court, justified in the quest to relieve them from the exploitative continuous extension of fixed term contracts with salaries that have no pensions or benefits and place these vulnerable workers under unbearable strain of not knowing if their contracts may come to an end.  

When the matter was heard in January this year, the court saw no concrete reasons to keep these workers in reoccurring fixed term contracts, compelling the state to adhere to the judgement and rectify a relationship that benefited the department more than it did the workers who toiled selflessly with minimal returns. This was an important victory upholding the Labour Relations Act’s three-month limitation on casual and short-term work.

CHWs have for years played a critical role in ensuring that the citizens of this country are provided with health services. Since their introduction in 2010, they have contributed hugely to improving access to healthcare and encouraging healthy behaviour in vulnerable communities, through community and family engagements, leading to less disease and better population health outcomes. The CHW model has been highly beneficial especially to communities who reside far from clinics and hospitals.

This development will also play a crucial role in further capacitating the healthcare system in the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) and in the provision of equitable access for all. CHWs and primary healthcare are the foundation for universal healthcare through the NHI.

COSATU applauds its Affiliate for the relentless commitment to the advancement of these workers and achieving this historic victory for all workers, unwavering in carrying an injury of Community Healthcare Workers till the very end.

Issued by COSATU 

Nonzuzo Dlamini (COSATU Communication Officer)

Mobile: 066 194 3619

Email: nonzuzo@cosatu.org.za