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Decision to dissolve doctors' union was illegal - Sama

Johannesburg – The SA Medical Association (Sama) on Tuesday repeated its demand to reverse the decision by its board to dissolve its trade union.

Sama's deputy president Mpho Pooe told reporters in Johannesburg that it had been a unilateral and illegal decision.

"This will expose doctors to serious labour relations consequences, such as dismissals and continuous abuse by repressive medical aid schemes," Pooe said.

In August 2015, the Sama board decided to dissolve the SA Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu). The union was founded on Labour Relations Act provisions and not company laws, she said.

Samatu, a Cosatu affiliate, said they wanted to strengthen the fight of doctors. They intended to ensure Samatu represented all doctors in South Africa effectively, she said.

Despite talks of a possible strike over the Samatu matter, Dr Tsametse Mohlomonyane, from Pretoria West Hospital, said they saw themselves as workers who had to fight through a trade union. 

"We have a professional responsibility to be advocates for our patients and have a moral and ethical duty to make sure that the patients get access to quality healthcare services always," Mohlomonyane said.

Pooe said they would deal decisively with problems hindering the delivery of health services in the public sector by actively participating and lobbying for progressive decisions and actions. 


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