/ 14 November 1997

Health dept may axe thousands

FRIDAY, 1.30PM:

THE National Education, Health and Allied Worker’s Union said on Thursday that the national health budget’s deficit of R1,5-billion could mean thousands of employees will soon lose their jobs.

The health department is apparently considering outsourcing its catering, cleaning and laundry and security services, which may involve retrenching 11 000 employees.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape is to cut back on 27 500 jobs soon, and 4 000 people have already been axed, MEC for Health Ebrahim Rasool said on Thursday. More job losses could be on the line for the province as part of the expenditure cuts.

Similarly, Nehawu believes 11 000 jobs could soon be cut from the KwaZulu-Natal province, which has a deficit of about R800-million.