Community caregivers in the Northern Cape who are contracted through NGOs have reportedly not received their stipends for two to four months, according to the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw).
COMMUNITY caregivers in the Northern Cape who are contracted through non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have reportedly not received their stipends for two to four months, according to the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw).
Nupsaw provincial organiser Thapelo Thole said that around 195 caregivers contracted to 30 NGOs across the Province have been affected.
“This is apparently after the Department of Social Development found that the NGOs are not compliant or were misusing their fund allocations. However, it is inhumane to punish caregivers as they have families to care for and bills to pay. They are still reporting for work for the sake of their patients and elderly clients,” said Thole.
“A group of caregivers were escorted out of the building by security when they tried to seek assistance at the department this week.”
He pointed out that caregivers were entitled to receive their stipends as they were sourced from conditional grants.
“Caregivers are working under difficult circumstances without any uniforms, personal protective equipment, benefits, medical aid, pensions, increases or bonuses. Caregivers are predominantly women and we do not want to see them being forced to sell their bodies in taverns so that they can put food on the table.”
The Northern Cape Department of Social Development indicated that it was attending to media enquiries.
Department spokesperson Gamiem Abrahams said a comprehensive response would be provided once all parties had been consulted.
