The right to strike is not absolute

WHAT inhumaneness, what lack of respect for the Constitution and Bill of Rights, what lack of respect for human beings seeking medical attention we have seen in the last few days. Are these the values, morals and ethics we learnt at home from our parents? Is this what we want our children to witness and absorb?

I am sure most South Africans are as traumatised as I am to see video clips on social media and news channels of vulnerable patients being barred from entering hospitals and health-care workers from carrying out their essential services.

The ongoing Nehawu strike that has disrupted health-care services at many hospitals, risking the lives of helpless sick people, many of whom rely heavily on the public health system, raises many questions on the understanding of universal human values, the right to strike, march and picket.

The right to protest is protected under the labour legislation laws and is an important mechanism for employees to call up, but it should not be abused and misused by individuals and some workers through acts of violence.

Like any other right in the Bill of Rights, the right to strike is not absolute and comes with a set of responsibilities. Intimidation, damaging property, bullying, harassment of non-strikers, lawlessness, thuggery and hate speech are unacceptable.