PSA threatens to shutdown SAHPRA

Public Servants’ Association (PSA) has threated to shutdown operations at the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) if Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, doesn’t meet with the union members within the next two weeks.

The public sector union handed over its list of demands at the health department headquarters in Tshwane.

Workers are accusing SAHPRA of ill treatment.

PSA President, Matimba Shibure, allege that employees at the organisation are being harassed into not taking leave.

He believes this betrays South Africa’s democratic foundation, which dictates that workers should be given the chance to negotiate their well-being.

He finds it irksome that the regulatory authority has, over the years, been altering policies without first consulting its employees.

“Amongst other things is the bullying that we are experiencing at the workplace whereby stuff members are not allowed to take leave. They are told because the authority is short staffed and that its working on a skeleton, they can’t take any days off. We are saying it is wrong that workers are being punished for someone’s failure to plan properly. The Chief Operating Officers are paid too well to be able to strategically think of solutions for such situations,” says Shibure.

One of the march organisers, Zamani Dladla, who is also the head negotiator at SAHPRA, claims that network reception issues at the authority are hampering productivity.

Dladla claims that one of their major difficulties with the authority is the repeal of the hybrid employment policy.

He claims that it protected workers from burnout and the financial burden of commuting to the office daily.

“Because of the cramped space that the employees are subjected to at work and the network issues the reception become slow and therefore productivity becomes negatively affected. They do not need to work physically with people, they work online and visit sites so there is no need for them to be physically at work,” says Dladla.

The demonstrators are tying the alleged toxicity and careless atmosphere at SAHPRA to the current CEO, Dr. Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, claiming that the hostile environment did not exist under the old Medicines Control Council.

They claim that punishment of employees for identifying quality improvement areas generates a fear-driven environment within the organisation.

The group says despite escalating grievances to the CEO and board, no meaningful response or redress has been forthcoming.

It also demands a comprehensive investigation of SAHPRA’s labour relations practices, including the function and behaviour of the present Labour Relations Specialist.

PSA additionally wants the organisation to ensure transparency and data-driven decision-making within its leadership structures.

According to Dladla, the Health Department’s Chief of Stuff, Modupi Mdluli, pledged to inform Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi of the list before the end of business. Written by Odirile Rabolao