Funeral industry embarks on national strike
The funeral sector's embarking on a three-day national strike over a range of issues - including pay.
"No removals will be done whether at the hospital, government mortuary or at home or even by the side of the road. We are not doing anything; we are not working. Bodies will be removed but not by us but by the government.
"The forensics department has been contacted that they should beef up their staff so whenever a death occurs at home, South Africans are requested to call the police," says Muzi Hlengwa - who is a facilitator with the Unification Task Team KZN.
READ: South Africa sees drop in COVID-19 deaths
He says they want the outsourcing of mortuary facilities to be recognised by the Health Department and a COVID-19 Relief Fund - among other things.
Hlengwa says their members feel neglected.
"The president will go and thank petrol attendant and cashiers, but will say nothing about the funeral industry - we the people who are in the front line of COVID-19. Nothing is being said about us."
