National Welfare, Social Service & Development Forum

Equal Pay for Equal Work

Updates:

"The Streets of the Johannesburg CDB - through the eyes of a Protest Marcher"

eyes-of-a-protest-marcher The social services sector is not known for taking drastic action or for embarking on militant protests and making unreasonable ‘demands’. However, at times, when things reach unacceptable levels the sector will take action in an effort to make their point and such an occasion occurred on Friday when the social services NPO sector went on a protest march. The marchers called for a new deal for social service financing. This means government subsidies that are sufficient for organisations to provide services of a decent standard for all who need them, and to offer equal pay for equal work. At present, workers employed by government have far better pay and benefits than Non Profit Organisation workers, and NPOs therefore keep losing their staff yet they are often expected to carry a significant portion of the workload. These Non Profit Organisations work hard to raise funds to run their services, but they also need reliable and realistic government funding to enable them to do their work properly.

Read all previous articles

All eyes now on Government after successful march

Supporters:

National Coalition for Social Services - NACOSS
People Opposing Women Abuse - POWA
HOSPERSA
NEHAWUSA
SA Federation for Mental Health
The National Organisation for the Blind in South Africa
Age-In-Action
Professor Leila Patel

Messages of support:

Equal Pay for Equal Work Campagin

From: Prof A Lombard – University of Pretoria
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dear Rajesh

I received your message via the "Council election'
e-mail.Congratualations with the well organised and successful march.

I wanted to let you know that UP support the march and initiative fully
and that we wanted to participate in the march. I just did not come to
do that before Friday. One of our 4th year students died when a car
knocked him over, and the memorial service was on the 27th, neither the
students nor the staff were ready to mobilise for participation in the
march. UP participated in the previous one a few years ago, and know how
important it is.

I also want to congratulate you with the excellent website. It is heart
warming to see that the sector is active and hands on.

Kind regards
Antoinette

Prof. A. Lombard
Head: Department of Social Work & Criminology
Humanities Building 10 - 21
University of Pretoria

From: Fazeela Fayers - HOSPERSA
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hi Colleagues

Rajesh & Jackie, I have copied Prof Sewpaul , as President of the National Association of Social Workers (SA) on this mail, for future support

Jackie , hope you have recovered from all the pressure, to get ready for the next round.

The March was a resounding reminder of the activism , and strength that the sector has in unity. As long as we keep the energy for the long road ahead.

The National Welfare Forum website looks good with the March pics.

I have also arranged to have a small press release on our website , and hope to strengthen our assistance to the sector.

www.hospersa.co.za

Pictures:

Equal Pay for Equal Work - JHB - Gauteng

Equal Pay for Equal Work - Bisho - Eastern Cape

Equal Pay for Equal Work - Durban - KwaZulu-Natal

Videos:

Media Releases:

Social service workers demand Equal Pay for Equal Work!

On average, social service workers employed by NGOs are paid 37% less than their counterparts in government departments because of the inadequate subsidies provided to NGOs.

This is not only unfair on the NGO sector, but also has a detrimental effect. The NGO sector faces challenges of high staff turnover, shortages of skilled and trained staff and difficulties in filling vacancies. As a result, many NGOs are unable to provide the services to poor and marginalised people.