Doctors’ trade union vows to fight dissolution

19 April 2016 - 14:59 By Neo Goba

The South African Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu) has vowed not to dissolve the federation as it the only union that is representing the rights of doctors in the country. This comes as the South African Medical Association (Sama) took a decision to dissolve the trade union."Today‚ we are here to to launch and strengthen the struggle to defend the needs and aspirations of doctors. We demand the reversal of the decision to resolve the trade union because it is illegal‚" said Mpho Pooe‚ deputy chairperson of Samatu.Although doctors aren't allowed to embark on a strike - as it is an essential service in the country - they'll be preparing workers for a "battle ahead because we plan to heighten the campaign to demand our trade union fights and the transformation to the health sector”‚ said Mpooe.In August 2015‚ the Sama board took a decision to dissolve the trade union arm of the association‚ Samatu.However‚ Samatu said the board’s decisions were not binding."The trade union is founded on Labour Relations Act provisions and not company laws. This attempt by the board to subjugate the trade union has been vigorously rejected by the trade union leadership and membership‚" said Mpooe.The trade union is also demanding that Sama disclose all financial records of assets.However‚ the board said that after a number of failed attempts to expand the union's functions and structures‚ it had decided to move the public sector doctors back into the main organisation. – TMG Digital/TMG Local Government..

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