Paramedics in Gauteng are complaining about working long hours and not receiving overtime pay.
They marched to Luthuli House demanding that ANC's secretary-general Gwede Mantashe intervene in their dispute with the Department of Health over salaries.
Director at the Department Health responsible for Emergency Services, Kgathi Malebana says the striking members have abandoned the recognised union and formed small groups.
According to Malebana, the issue is not overtime but the interpretation of the law in what is called overlapping hours.
He says talks are still going on with the recognised labour unions.
The recognised structures...refused to participate because they know how illegal and how irrational this current action is.
— Kgathi Malebana, Director at the Department Health, responsible for Emergency Services
When colleagues work overtime they get paid and that it's not even a dispute ... the question is what we call overlapping hours.
— Kgathi Malebana, Director at the Department Health, responsible for Emergency Services
This is not an issue that affects Gauteng only but all nine provinces
— Kgathi Malebana, Director at the Department Health, responsible for Emergency Services
To hear the rest of the interview, listen below:
This article first appeared on 702 : Gauteng Health Dept: Paramedic march, small groups that have abandoned unions