FUNERAL INDUSTRY PLANS THREE-DAY STRIKE

The Department of Health has expressed its concern over public health if the three-day planned strike by members of the funeral industry is to go ahead from today.

IOL reports that more than 3000 workers have vowed not to collect corpses from both government and private hospitals as well as homes, if government doesn’t respond to their demands.

The Unification Task Team’s Peter Matlale has said that one of the demands is that an agreement has to be reached on the outsourcing of mortuary facilities owned by black funeral undertakers to be recognised and legalised amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Department released a statement on Sunday regarding the matter.

“Legal action will be taken against owners of premises found to be in contravention. Family members are urged to check the legitimacy of the undertakers and agents being utilised for overall management of the burial of their loved ones to ensure proper tracking and tracing and that the handling of the remains is done with dignity and within the law.”

Meanwhile, the South African Funeral Practitioners Association says it will not take part in the planned three-day national shutdown organised by its funeral mother body, the Unification Task Team.

The Unification Task Team consists of 17 funeral associations and forums across the country.

Watch the eNCA video below for more information on the planned three-day strike by the funeral industry.

Image credit: eNCA