20 Jul 2017

Deputy council chairperson, Mr Lathang Molonda has emphasised the need for urgent attention to issues of health raised by employees working in the delta.

He made the plea after some councillors voiced some concerns regarding ill-treatment of employees working in some safaris in the delta.  

Councillors said some employees had reported that they were denied access to health services by their employers.

However, Mr Molonda implored the council leadership to organise a meeting with the concerned employees to appreciate their grievances and act promptly.

He said health issues were sensitive and needed urgent attention.

He said there was need to  investigate issues further because what was alleged was abuse and violation of rights to health services.

Earlier, Cllr Luke Motlaleselelo of Bojanala explained that employees at the delta were crying foul as they claimed they were not allowed to go for check-ups or have access to health personnel when sick.

He said they shared that their employers had made arrangements with some doctors to be consulted through the phones.

He said the arrangement was risky as there was a possibility of prescribing wrong treatment.

Still on labour issues, Cllr Mpoke Karapo of Gumare/Tubu North called on the department of Labour to intervene in an issue where some workers engaged by a certain company at Gumare stayed six months without being paid.

Cllr Lesedi Boy of Shakawe South shared the sentiments, noting that it was a trend that some contractors were failing to pay their workers, citing another contractor that was engaged to de-bush.

On other issues, some councillors expressed displeasure against the amended increased road user charges and license fees.

They argued that it was not right to increase charges as roads were in bad state and posed danger to users.

Cllr Gaopalelwe Ronald of Nxamasere/Samochima said it seemed government now wanted to generate income at the expense of road users.

In his speech, council chairperson, Mr Duncan Enga had indicated that the Ministry of Transport and Communications, through the Department of Road Transport and Safety had amended and increased road user charges and license fees.

He explained that the move was in accordance with the fourth schedule of Road Transport Permits Acts and first schedule of Road Traffic Act, which effected on May 1. BOPA