Protective gear: 'There's trust breakdown between government and public sector'

Nehawu has filed urgent court papers against the Department of Health for failure to protect workers during COVID-19 outbreak.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) has filed urgent court papers against the Department of Health for its failure to protect health workers during the coronavirus outbreak.

The union wants to compel the government protect its members who are on duty and at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Clement Manyathela last week spoke to the union's general-secretary Zola Saphetha who said workers were anxious having to work under such conditions.

RELATED: Nehawu takes state to court for not protecting health workers during COVID-19

Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) general-secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali says they are not sure whether the matter will be heard by the court on Tuesday as the state's response to Nehawu was only served on Tuesday morning.

Nehawu has requested more time to respond to the affidavit by the state and requested that the judge set the matter for Friday. So the matter might not be heard on Tuesday.

Bheki Ntshalintshali, General-secretary - Cosatu

He says these matters raised by Nehawu are being raised by all the health sector unions.

There has been a breakdown of trust between government and the public sector has been raising issues about the protective gear.

Bheki Ntshalintshali, General-secretary - Cosatu

Listen below to the full conversation:

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