Fin24 reports that according to the Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa), SA Express might not be able to pay its staff on 25 June.  

The labour federation issued a statement on Monday indicating that acting CEO Matsietsi Mokholo had informed staff that salaries might not be paid later this month.  Fedusa said it had appealed to Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan to provide emergency funding for the salaries.  Cash-strapped SA Express was recently grounded by the SA Civil Aviation Authority (Sacaa) due to non-compliance with 17 findings related to safety management processes.  The process of reapplying for certification could be lengthy.  SA Express spokesperson Refilwe Masemola confirmed that because the airline was unable to fly passengers it could not generate revenue.  She added that the airline’s management and board were “tirelessly” exploring various alternatives to ensure the payment of staff salaries on 25 June.  According to Fedusa general secretary Dennis George, the situation the airline was facing was not “unfixable”.  He also emphasised that the government as shareholder was duly accountable.

• Read this report by Lameez Omarjee in full at Fin24
• Read Fedusa’s press statement at SA Labour News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page