Today's Labour News

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Demotion over misplaced passport ‘led Brian Molefe’s ex-PA to commit suicide’

According to The Citizen, a report in Sunday World details how former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe’s personal assistant committed suicide after she was demoted from his office on his instruction.  Thembi, the mother of Gugulethu Mbatha, said her daughter couldn’t handle being demoted at work after she couldn’t find Molefe’s passport prior to an overseas trip last year.  When it was eventually located in her drawer, she took the blame for not finding it in time.  Mbatha was ordered to take three weeks leave and upon her return was told Molefe had requested to work with someone else as she was untrustworthy.  This led to Mbatha’s depression and she overdosed on pills at home last November.  Thembi claimed: “Eskom led my daughter to suicide.”

Read this report in full at The Citizen

Second Gauteng police officer killed in less than a week

EWN reports that Gauteng police have confirmed that a second officer has been killed in the province in just one week.  An officer was shot during a business robbery in Katlehong last week and later died in hospital.  In a separate incident over the weekend, an off-duty officer stationed at Rosebank was shot dead at his house in Eldorado Park on Saturday morning.  He apparently heard someone fiddling with his vehicle in Devland and got dressed to see what was happening when the incident took place.  Gauteng police have launched a manhunt for the suspects involved in the shootings.  Police management say they are deeply concerned about the number of police killings that have taken place this year, with at least four officers killed already.

Read this report by Masa Kekana & Mia Lindeque in full at EWN.  See too, Nog ʼn Gauteng-polisieman doodgeskiet, at Maroela Media.  And also, Manhunt for police killers, on page 5 of The New Age of 16 January 2017

Other internet posting(s) in this news category

• Criminals targeting police at home, at IOL News

MINING LABOUR

Sibanye serves notices to hold DMR officials personally liable for malicious safety stoppages

BusinessLive reports that incompetent and malicious Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) officials who overstepped their authority in applying regulations could soon be hauled to court for damages in their personal capacity.  Two judgments pertaining to mining, as well as a Constitutional Court ruling, that government officials can be held liable in their personal capacity have paved the way for such action, which could see mine inspectors and other departmental officials pursued for damages by mining companies.  It is understood that Sibanye has already served notices on various DMR officials in terms of the Institution of Legal Proceedings Against Certain Organs of State Act and summonses will be served within the coming weeks.  The actions are likely to be related to safety stoppages ordered at the company’s mines in 2016, and in particular the application of a number of ‘Section 54’ closures at Kroondal Platinum Mines.  Sibanye spokesman James Wellsted said he could not comment.  AngloGold Ashanti would also not comment as to whether they would be adopting a similar approach to Sibanye.

Read this report by Allan Seccombe in full at BusinessLive.  Read too, Sibanye to hit DMR with R26m claim for Section 54 stoppage, at Miningmx.  And also, Judgments against DMR highlight challenges mines face, at BusinessLive

Pay pact between Geomechanics and NUM ends three-day strike

ANA reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Friday successfully concluded negotiations for a one-year wage agreement with Geomechanics, ending a three-day strike at the drilling and mineral exploration company.  Workers downed tools on Monday last week demanding, amongst other improvements, a salary increase of 15% across the board.  The agreement will see wage increases of up to 10% for the workers, backdated from June 2016.  Also included will be a R300 allowance per day for work done outside the country.  There will furthermore be the creation of a provident fund for workers with a 7.5% contribution from each party.  The employer also agreed to pay all employees an amount equal to basic salary as an annual bonus or 13th cheque in December each year.  A task team that will look into other matters such as allowances and medical aid.

Read this report in full on page 17 of Business Report of 16 January 2017.  Read the NUM’s press statement in this regard at Polity

Amcu reveals reason for Kusasalethu sit-in was unpaid bonus
EWN reports that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Workers (Amcu) says mineworkers staged a sit-in at Harmony Gold’s Kusasalethu mine because management had reneged on a promise to pay workers a bonus this month.  Around 1,700 workers from the Kusasalethu operation in Carletonville failed to surface after last Wednesday's morning shift.  After interventions by unions, they resurfaced on Thursday evening.  Harmony said earlier that they were unaware of the reasons for the sit-in and that no formal demands had been made by the participating employees.  But Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said:  “The management of the mine had an undertaking to pay workers a bonus when they return to work in January 2017.  Then as the workers were reporting for duty they were made aware … that there are briefs that have been issued by management that there will be no bonuses that will be paid.”
This report by Clement Manyathela is at EWN.  Read too, Harmony strike highlights continued unrest in the gold mining sector, at The Citizen.  And also, Harmony to launch investigation as Kusasalethu returns to work, at Miningmx.  As well as, Agreement reached after sit-in at Harmony Gold mine, at Business Report

Other labour posting(s) in this news category

• Solidarity cautious on Barbrook mine business rescue promises, at Mining Weekly
• Survival beats safety at deadly illegal Indwe coal mine, at Weekend Argus
• Kumba rains rocks down on Dingleton residents, at GroundUp

Other general internet posting(s) on mining

• Motsepe’s ARM to finally pay rent for Limpopo community’s platinum-rich land, at Fin24
• Rain halts work at United Manganese of Kalahari mine, at BusinessLive
• DiamondCorp embarks on £1m raising for Lace mine, at Mining Weekly

AGRICULTURE

Summit planned in last-ditch bid to save SA’s chicken industry

City Press reports that government departments and local poultry producers will meet in the next few weeks in a last-ditch bid to save the country’s chicken industry.  The sector is on the verge of collapse as it battles with a flood of cheap chicken quarters that are allegedly being dumped by EU countries and the US.  Several of the country’s biggest chicken producers, including KwaZulu-Natal’s iconic Rainbow Chickens, are pushing ahead with mass retrenchments and farm sell-offs.  Rainbow alone will cut more than 1,350 jobs at the end of this month.  Kevin Lovell of the SA Poultry Association said on Friday that government, led by the Department of Trade and Industry (the DTI), had committed to a summit aimed at keeping the industry alive.  Producers will ask government to introduce regulations that will in effect halve the amount of chicken entering SA.

Read this report by Paddy Harper in full at City Press.  Read too, EU cries foul over chicken crisis claims, at BusinessLive

Impose 50% tariff on poultry imports to save jobs, urges Malema
Fin24 reports that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called on Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies to impose a 50% tariff on all chicken importers to protect SA poultry farmers and their workers.  In a letter to Davies, EFF leader Julius Malema said the “massive oversupply” of imported chicken has made it impossible for local chicken producers to continue to operate, let alone compete internationally.  “If government does not intervene immediately with decisive measures, we will witness the demise of the poultry industry,” Malema noted.  He went on to state that more than 1,500 poultry farm workers have lost their jobs in 2016, while “over 3,000 poultry farm workers are in the process of being retrenched as companies are closing down.”
Read this report by Liesl Peyper in full at Fin24.  Read too, DTI responds to Malema's poultry tariff hike demand, at Fin24

INDUSTRIAL ACTION / STRIKES / LOCK-OUTS

Cops at Lamontville police station down tools over grievances with commander
Daily News reports that police officers from various stations around Durban were deployed to Lamontville Police Station on Wednesday morning when police and admin staff with grievances downed tools and did not report for duty.  Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker confirmed there was a “high level of absenteeism” at the police station.  “Police officials that are absent without valid reasons will be dealt with in terms of police disciplinary regulations as the police will not condone ill-discipline within its ranks,” Naicker said.  An officer from the Lamontville station claimed the station commander was a divisive figure who favoured certain officers with overtime allocation, while marginalising other officers.  He also claimed the commander racially discriminated against his subordinates.  “The station commander cannot handle people, he does not have managerial skills or the ability to manage,” said the officer.
Read this report by Samkelo Mtshali in full at Daily News

PROTESTS, MARCHES AND BOYCOTTS

Mpumalanga residents threaten to torch new R300m traffic college over jobs
News24 reports that residents of Mkhulu in Bushbuckridge have threatened to burn down the newly-opened R300m traffic college, saying promises of jobs have gone unfulfilled.  On Tuesday last week, residents protested by blocking the R536 in Bushbuckridge with boulders and branches.  The provincial government, however, said on Thursday that the matter had been resolved following a meeting with residents on Wednesday.  One irate resident said earlier that during the construction of the college they had been promised that 30% of those hired would be from the area.  Locals, however, alleged that only four general workers from the area were given jobs.  
Read this report by Constance Sithole in full at News24
Other internet posting(s) in this news category

• TVET students, Nehawu protesting in Alexandra on Monday, at News24
• Moving TVET college classes sparks protests in Alexandra, at News24

DISPUTES

Parliamentary protection officers get Nehawu’s backing in recruitment dispute

BusinessLive reports that the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has thrown its weight behind protection service officers in Parliament who have approached the Labour Court to challenge the legislature’s decision to hire police officers as ‘bouncers’.  The SA Police Services personnel were hired to boost Parliament’s security, including taking steps to remove MPs from the House if instructed to do so.  Protection services staff said the manner in which Parliament made the appointments was unfair.  Nehawu is also at odds with Parliament over the payment of performance bonuses.  Nehawu’s Temba Gubula said they supported the effort of the protection officers to get the same working conditions and pay as the parliamentary removal officers.

Read this report by Khulekani Magubane in full at BusinessLive

LABOUR AND POLITICS

Cosatu dismissive of Jacob Zuma’s ‘insincere’ ANC succession stance

BusinessLive reports the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) took on President Jacob Zuma on Friday, calling him "insincere" for denying the existence of a tradition in the ANC that saw the party’s deputy president succeed its president.  After serving as ANC deputy president, Zuma was elected party president in 2007, succeeding Thabo Mbeki.  Cosatu said "millions" of ANC and alliance members came out to support Zuma at the time using the same argument that it was customary for deputies to succeed presidents in the ANC.  "We find it insincere that he never spoke out then and he never saw anything wrong with that argument at the time," the federation noted.  Last year, Cosatu publicly endorsed deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa to lead the ANC, based on this being the party’s tradition.  However, during a radio interview on Thursday, Zuma said there was no such tradition.

Read this report by Genevieve Quintal in full at BusinessLive.  See too, Zuma should have spoken out against succession tradition in 2007, says Cosatu, at The Citizen

Other internet posting(s) in this news category

• Nehawu criticises Gordhan for ‘relentless attacks’ on SARS commissioner, at BusinessLive

STAFFING / RECRUITMENT

No jobs for trainee pharmacists, doctors despite shortage
eNCA reports that more than 200 newly qualified doctors and pharmacists are in limbo as they are unable to find posts.  Experts believe there has been an increase in the number of trainees, but the public health system simply can't absorb them -- despite a critical shortage of staff at public health facilities.  The Pharmaceutical Society of SA (PSSA) has called on the government to scrap the compulsory year of community service year required of graduates if it cannot find them posts.  Meanwhile, the Junior Doctors' Association said it had received complaints from 135 doctors needing to do internships and community service but who were yet to be placed.
Read this report in full at eNCA

Teacher shortage blamed for 8% matric pass rate at Eastern Cape school
Groundup reports that Eastern Cape schools have started the year short of teachers, and there seems to be no imminent solution.  After recording a matric pass rate of just over 8% in 2016, Mhlanganisweni Technical and Commercial High School in Libode near Port St Johns has started 2017 short of four teachers.  And there is no sign that the Eastern Cape Department of Education will fix the problem any time soon.  SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) Eastern Cape spokesperson Sindisile Zamisa confirmed that the shortage of teachers was a crisis in a number of schools in the Eastern Cape.  He indicated that Sadtu had written to the ANC, Cosatu, SACP and the chairperson of the portfolio committee on education in the Eastern Cape government to request an urgent education crisis meeting.
Read this report in full at Daily Maverick
Other internet posting(s) in this news category

• Three top KZN health department officials quit for ‘personal reasons’, at IOL News
• No jobs for sale at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, says Gauteng Health, at eNCA
• Netcare warns of jobs scam, at Business Report

REMUNERATION / SALARY ADMINISTRATION

Court declares unconstitutional deduction from health manager overpaid by R800‚000
TimesLive reports that Itunu Ubogu, who holds a senior position in the Gauteng health department, was accidentally overpaid for five years, but then a letter arrived demanding repayment of almost R800,000.  Her salary slip a month later showed a deduction of more than R33,000 towards settling the claimed debt.  This was followed by news that her annual bonus would be withheld.  Ubogu turned to the Labour Court, arguing that current legislation allowing the state to deduct money paid wrongfully to employees was unconstitutional.  Judge Edwin Tlhotlhalemaje agreed and declared unconstitutional a section of the Public Service Act that allows the state to deduct payments wrongfully made to employees in the absence of any due process or an agreement.  The court has now altered part of section 38 of the Public Service Act to conform with the Constitution.  It is unclear whether the department will continue in its quest to recover the rest of the money.
Read this report by Ernest Mabuza in full at TimesLive

SKILLS / TRAINING

Three new technical campuses to ease pressure on post-school education opportunities
BusinessLive reports that three technical and vocational education and training (TVET) campuses will open in 2017 to absorb some of the hundreds of thousands matrics who failed to get university exemption.  The new campuses are Thabazimbi Campus at the Waterberg TVET College in Limpopo; Bambanani Campus at uMfolozi TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal; and Nkandla A Campus at uMfolozi TVET College in KwaZulu-Natal.  Speaking on Thursday at a briefing to outline post-school education opportunities available to matriculants, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande said those who had completed grade 12 with a minimum of a higher certificate could consider studying at one of the 50 public TVET colleges.  He indicated that TVET colleges would accept 207,510 new enrollments in 2017.  Of the 610,178 pupils who wrote matric in 2016, 162,374 are eligible for bachelor degree admission and just more than 240,000 for diploma and higher-certificate studies.
Read this report by Bekezela Phakathi in full at BusinessLive.  Read too, Over 500,000 post-school study places available, says Nzimande, at The Citizen
Maths literacy not enough for admission to TVET artisan programmes

SowetanLive reports that a matric pass in maths literacy carries so little weight that even a matriculant who passed with flying colours cannot get into artisan programmes at any of the 50 technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges.  Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande advised on Thursday:  "It is critical that in order to be accepted into an artisan training programme, learners must have passed mathematics with a minimum mark of 50% and a pass in [physical] science"  He said matriculants without the required 50%, but who did maths in school and want to become artisans, could register for a foundation course called the Generic Trade Preparation Programme as offered at the National Artisan Development Support Centre.  But, those with maths literacy are excluded from the programme.  Mugwena Maluleke of the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) commented:  "Our position has always been that it's important for schools to encourage learners not to do maths literacy but to do mathematics.  Clearly, it is not taking learners anywhere."

Read this report by Bongani Nkosi in full at SowetanLive

EMPLOYEE INSURANCE/BENEFIT FUNDS

Zuma signs Unemployment Insurance Amendment Bill into law
On 11 January 2016, President Jacob Zuma signed into law a number of bills, including the Unemployment Insurance Amendment Act (UIF) of 2016.  The main purpose of the new act is to amend the UIF Act of 2001 so as to provide for the extension of unemployment insurance benefits to learners who are undergoing learnership training and civil servants.  Also, amongst other things, it will adjust the accrual rate of contributor’s entitlement to unemployment insurance benefits and provide for the process of application for maternity benefits.  The act further seek to empower the UIF Board to provide in its constitution for the functions of regional appeals committees and to amend Schedule 2 to the UIF Act of 2001 so as to provide for adjustment of the Income Replacement Rate.  Labour union Cosatu has indicated its strong support for the signing of the bill into law.
Read Cosatu’s press statement at Politicsweb
Other internet posting(s) in this news category

• UIF gets a benefits revamp, at City Press
• How to make the UIF work for workers, at Business Times

EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT / CORRUPTION / DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Disciplinary hearings for 11 public works officials over Nkandla overspending to start soon

BusinessLive reports that the disciplinary hearings for 11 public works officials alleged to be implicated in overspending on President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home are expected to start at the end of this month.  The Public Servants Association of SA (PSA) is representing the officials at the disciplinary hearings, which began more than a year-and-a-half ago.  They were postponed after media houses applied to the high court for access to proceedings.  Times Media Group, Media24 and the Mail & Guardian have been granted access.  An official date for the hearings has not been set yet, but parties have agreed that once the hearings start, they will sit until the hearings are complete.  The officials are facing charges relating to maladministration, misconduct and violating departmental procedures.

Read this report by Genevieve Quintal in full at BusinessLive

Solidarity to represent dismissed Edenvale station commander
Bedfordview News reports that former Edenvale Station Commander Robbie Roberts obtained the representation of trade union Solidarity after he was informed that he had been dismissed from the police in a letter dated 7 January.  Gauteng SA Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, confirmed that Roberts has been dismissed “following a departmental trial in terms of the SAPS Regulations related to a shooting incident”.  Dlamini said Roberts was dismissed on 27 September 2016 and an appeal board confirmed his dismissal on 29 December.  No station commander has been officially appointed at the Edenvale and Colonel Ben Baloyi has been acting as the station commander.  Solidarity’s Renate Barnard confirmed that they will represent Roberts in an unfair dismissal arbitration hearing at the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC).
Read this report by Marietta Lombard in full at Bedfordview and Edenvale News

Mashaba unfazed by Samwu criticism on licensing department graft arrests

ANA reports that Joburg executive mayor Herman Mashaba has questioned whether the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) was fighting to keep corrupt officials in their jobs, or if it was going to work with the City in its efforts aimed at rooting out corruption.  This came after Samwu on Friday accused Mashaba of “grandstanding” after he announced the imminent arrest of 106 allegedly corrupt officials at the city’s various licensing centres.  Mashaba on Tuesday announced the arrests of four officials and further imminent arrests, adding that the implicated officials had been identified through an anti-graft sweep by the city’s internal corruption-busting unit.  He stated that if Samwu was serious about the fight against corruption in Johannesburg, the union would back the new administration, which was implementing a zero-tolerance approach to corruption.

Read this report in full at The Citizen.  Read too, Union takes Mashaba to task over crooked city licensing probe, at TimesLive

Ramathlodi warns public servants after spokeswoman’s foul-mouthed outburst

ANA reports that Public Service and Administration Minister Ngoako Ramathlodi on Friday issued a second stern reminder to public servants to comply with the Public Service Code of Conduct.  This came after a furore broke out over a Facebook post by the spokeswoman for his Cabinet colleague Bathabile Dlamini.  In a statement, Ramathlodi condemned the conduct of all public servants “who conduct themselves in an unprofessional manner” and went on to emphatically indicate that all public servants – without exception – must at all the times comply with the Public Service Code of Conduct and provisions of the Service Charter.”  Dlamini’s spokeswoman Lumka Oliphant last week took to Facebook with an expletive-laden post to defend the minister of social development against suggestions that she was drunk while delivering a speech.  Ramathlodi’s spokesman confirmed that the minister’s statement was prompted by Oliphant’s outburst.  He said, however, that it was up to the social development ministry to take disciplinary action against her.

Read this report in full at The Citizen.  See too, Ramatlhodi condemns foul-mouthed Facebook post by govt. spokeswoman, at EWN.  And also, Lumka Oliphant says sorry for foul Facebook rant, at The Star

Other internet posting(s) in this news category

• Bribery is on the increase in SA, survey finds, at The Citizen
• F4SD wants municipal officials fired for not paying Eskom, at Engineering News
• School uniform costs dad his job, at TimesLive

WEB LINKS TO LABOUR NEWS ARTICLES FROM FRIDAY, 13 JANUARY TO SUNDAY, 15 JANUARY 2017

See our listing of links to labour articles published on the internet from Friday, 13 January to Sunday, 15 January 2017 at SA Labour News