Union Slams Gauteng Health Department Over Unpaid Overtime and Altered Contracts for Joburg Doctors

The Public Servants Association (PSA) has taken a firm stance against the Gauteng Department of Health, accusing it of failing to pay doctors under the Johannesburg Health District for overtime work performed — and even going as far as altering signed contracts without consent.

According to the PSA, overtime submissions were completed by the end of February 2025, providing the Department ample time to process payments. However, instead of issuing the due remuneration, Clinical Managers were summoned to a meeting where they were informed of a unilateral change to doctors’ overtime conditions — from Option C (32 to 48 hours) to Option D (52 to 80 hours).

Even more alarming are claims from PSA members that contractual documents were altered fraudulently, with original signatures allegedly removed and placed on edited documents without the knowledge of the doctors involved.

Doctors Told to Keep Working — Without Pay

Despite the ongoing dispute and unpaid hours, doctors are being instructed to continue working overtime — a directive the PSA deems unethical and exploitative.

“The PSA will not allow its members to be bullied,” said the union in a strongly worded statement. “This behavior by the Department is unacceptable, especially in light of the fact that doctors have already rendered their services.”

Vacant Posts, Exhausted Staff, and a Stretched System

The crisis comes as the PSA reveals that over 10,000 public health posts remain vacant across the province. Rather than filling these roles, the Department appears to be relying on overburdened doctors to plug the gaps by working excessive overtime — a strategy the PSA warns will seriously compromise the quality of care available to patients.

“This isn’t just about money — it’s about service delivery, patient safety, and respecting healthcare professionals,” the PSA added.

Union Demands Immediate Action

The PSA is now calling for the immediate payment of all outstanding overtime compensation and a full investigation into the alleged contract tampering. They argue that threatening disciplinary action against doctors — instead of resolving the payment and staffing crisis — only worsens the situation.

“The Department must act with urgency, transparency, and respect for the professionals who hold up our healthcare system,” the PSA concluded.

Why This Matters:

• Healthcare workers are legally entitled to be compensated for overtime.

• Allegations of fraudulent contract alterations raise serious ethical and legal red flags.

• Public healthcare delivery may suffer if doctors are overworked and underpaid.

The PSA has indicated it will continue to advocate for its members and may pursue further legal or industrial action if the Department fails to respond appropriately.

Residents and healthcare users in Gauteng are urged to follow updates, as service disruptions may occur if the dispute escalates.

{Source: IOL}

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