Historic victory: NEHAWU secures permanent roles for 27,000 community health workers
NEHAWU has successfully negotiated the permanent employment of 27,000 community health workers, marking a significant step towards improving job security and strengthening South Africa's healthcare system.
Image: File picture
National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) has secured the permanent employment of 27,000 community health workers (CHWs) after signing a landmark implementation agreement with the National Department of Health, giving effect to a Labour Court ruling that CHWs are “deemed to be of an indefinite duration.”
Announcing the deal on Tuesday, the union described it as “a major achievement in the fight and struggle for the permanent employment of the CHWs.”
NEHAWU said the signing represents “a turning point against the unabated exploitation of the CHWs and the workers in general” after years of precarious short-term contracts.
Under the agreement, all 27,000 eligible CHWs will be permanently appointed at Public Service Salary Level 2 from 1 September 2025. They will receive three months’ net remuneration from the same date, while pensionable salaries will begin on 1 December 2025.
The Department has also agreed to provide an interim R1,000 stipend increase for the remaining 16,687 CHWs during the 2025/26 financial year until their permanent appointments are completed.
NEHAWU said the settlement secures the conditions of “about 43,687 CHWs,” bringing stability to a workforce that has historically been “subjected to continuous fixed-term contracts with salaries that have no bearing to their pensions and completely with no benefits.”
The union added that the agreement “advances the course of the creation of decent jobs” and strengthens the foundation for Universal Health Coverage under the National Health Insurance (NHI). It said the deal “shall facilitate the strengthening of the primary healthcare system as a foundational platform for the realisation of Universal Health Coverage.”
The statement also reflects on the long-standing contribution of CHWs, who emerged in black communities “as selfless and dedicated volunteers” during apartheid-era shortages of healthcare access. Over time, they have become “the backbone of the healthcare system,” especially through their role in health promotion and Ward Based Primary Health Care Outreach Teams.
Both parties have committed to finalising the appointment of the remaining CHWs and determining a “Token of Appreciation for CHWs who have reached pensionable age” by 31 January 2026.
NEHAWU reiterated that “the permanent employment of the CHWs is an investment in the healthcare system” that will “contribute positively towards strengthening our healthcare system.”
The union urged CHWs to attend upcoming report-back meetings and remain alert to “deliberate misinformation meant to confuse them.”