A labour court in South Africa has ordered a halt to a strike by nurses and teachers who are demanding better pay.
Health authorities have welcomed the ruling, saying it will empower them to implement a no-work no-pay policy if the strike continues.
Health workers are regarded as providing essential services in South Africa and are prohibited from striking.
Thousands of members of the Natioanl Education and Health Workers Union (Nehawu) have been on strike since last week after failing to resolve their wage dispute with the government.
The military has been deployed to some hospitals following reports workers who were not taking part in the protest faced bullying and intimidation.
Military medics have also been dispatched to assist in some of the worst-affected hospitals.
The health minister said the deaths of four patients could be “directly attributed” to the strike, but the union said the strike “has never killed anyone”.
Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC
