Cleaners‚ boilermakers‚ Department of Social Development staff and community health workers came out to support nurses in their march through Pretoria on Wednesday.
Between 3 000 and 5 000 people marched to demand better working conditions for nurses and a more functional nursing council. Many later dispersed with fewer than 1 000 nurses and supporters remaining outside the national health department offices.
Naledi Tsoamotse from the Free State said he and other Nehawu members had come to Gauteng in "solidarity" with the nurses. He said he worked for the Department of Social Development.
"We want better pay‚ no exploitation and better facilities for nurses. There must be resources;" said Tsoamotse.
Hospital cleaner Thelma Miya wasn't sure what the march was about. " We are here to hand over a memorandum" to the Department of Health‚ she said.
A nurse who asked to remain anonymous said she was protesting because she and Limpopo colleagues received no overtime pay for working more than 40 hours a week.
"If you complain‚ the health department will suspend you." She wanted extra pay for working six hours on Saturdays in addition to 42 hours a week.
Nurses were to march to the SA Nursing Council offices to demand it open more offices nationally. Nurses from across the country miss work each year to travel to the Pretoria office to pay annual professional fees.
The council closed its office today in response to the march‚ angering nursing union Denosa. The union said the closure showed "poor leadership" from the council. The council has not responded to questions about why it shut its doors.
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