This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Wednesday, 18 July 2018.
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Cape Town to revisit security arrangements at clinic after man shot dead News24 reports that the City of Cape Town said on Tuesday that it would be revisiting security arrangements at Eastridge Clinic after a man was shot dead inside the health facility. The 23-year-old man was gunned down on Monday morning in full view of clinic patients and just metres from the local police station. A 20-year-old man has been arrested and is expected to appear in court once he has been formally charged. Mayoral committee member for safety, security and social services JP Smith said the shooting appeared to have been be gang-related. He explained that the national health department's framework for primary healthcare facilities required that clinics have a dedicated security guard on site or an alarm system installed that was linked to an armed response unit. Eastridge Clinic does have a security guard on site during operating hours and staff have panic buttons linked to the city's rapid response unit. The clinic was shut after the shooting, but has since been reopened with agency staff, staff members from other facilities and three other staff members who reported for duty. Read this report by Tammy Petersen in full at News24
Wage talks in gold mining sector set to resume on Wednesday ANA reports that wage negotiations in the gold mining sector were expected to resume on Wednesday, when the Minerals Council SA (previously known as the Chamber of Mines) was due to make its opening offer to trade unions. Unions tabled their opening demands to the Mineral Council representing gold producers AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony, Sibanye-Stillwater and Village Main Reef on 11 July. Four trade unions, namely the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), Solidarity and Uasa, are representing workers. The largest union in the gold sector, the NUM, tabled a demand for an entry-level salary of R9,500 per month for surface workers, R10,500 for underground workers and a 15% increase across the board for officials. Amcu is seeking R12,500 as the minimum monthly wage for all employees graded categories 4 to 8. Read this report in full at The Citizen. Read the NUM’s full list of demands at Cosatu News. Read Amcu’s full list of demands at Amcu News Probe into deaths at copper mine a priority for Mineral Resources Minister SowetanLive reports that Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has ordered a speedy investigation into the cause of a fire that killed six miners at a copper mine in Phalaborwa, Limpopo. Mantashe visited the Palabora Mining Company mine where the miners perished after a fire broke out underground when a conveyor belt apparently caught fire on Sunday morning. Mantashe was taken underground at the mine on Tuesday to conduct an inspection-in-loco to see the conditions under which the miners worked. He told mineworkers: "We have instructed a full investigation into the cause of the incident. We want to know why the conveyor belt caused the fire that killed the miners. We are working with the mine management to find out exactly what happened. A report will be released at a later stage." He indicated that such investigations typically took a month to conclude. Mantashe also said a report on the cause of the deaths at a Sibanye-Stillwater gold mine, where seven people were killed two months ago, would be released soon. Read this report by Frank Maponya in full at SowetanLive. Read too, Mantashe identifies key questions in Phalaborwa mine deaths inquiry, at EWN. And also, Bosses at copper mine a bunch of liars, claims bereaved mother, at The Citizen Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Postings on Mining Charter
No new wage offer, strike ongoing in footwear industry EWN reports that the national strike in the footwear sector has entered its seventh day with no new wage offer on the table. Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu) general secretary Andre Kriel said: “The strike is still very strong. Workers remain determined to pursue their demands and this is despite sporadic acts of intimidation against some members which we think are focused on weakening the strike. We’re doing everything we can to resolve the matter in the best possible manner for our members.” More than 10,000 workers have been taking part in a nationwide strike since last week Monday. Workers are demanding a 9.5% wage increase, while employers are offering 6.25%. This short report by Graig-Lee Smith is at EWN
Eskom tables revised wage offer with two options, NUM to consult members ANA reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Tuesday evening that it was taking a new wage offer made by Eskom to its members. The union indicated: “NUM has noted the latest offer from Eskom. There are two options that Eskom presented to the unions – options A and B. The NUM is taking the latest offer back to its members to give us a mandate as to whether they accept or reject the offer.” In a proposed three-year deal, Eskom’s first option was for a 7% increase in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and a housing allowance in line with the consumer price index (CPI). The second option proposed a 7.5% increase in 2018, and 7% for the next two years, with no housing allowance. Trade union Solidarity was reportedly ready to accept the new offer. The wage talks will reconvene on 27 July 2018, when unions will report back on the mandates from their members. Read this report in full at The Citizen. See too, Eskom tables two offers for unions to consider, at eNCA. And also, Eskom sticks to its guns over wage demands, at Timeslive
KZN nurses march to provincial legislature calling for health MEC to be removed GroundUp reports that hundreds of nurses from across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) marched to the provincial legislature in Pietermaritzburg on Monday seeking to get the MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, removed. “Can we get a MEC who knows what he is doing? This is the third march this year. We are short staffed and overworked,” said disgruntled nurse Bongekile Khomo who has to take care of 60 patients in one ward. Most of the nurses who marched from Alexandra Park to the legislature were part of the United Nurses Forum, which said that nurses were short staffed in health institutions, with nurses working in rural areas suffering the most. Zithembiso Nzuza accepted the memorandum on behalf of the speaker of the KZN legislature and confirmed that they were aware that a memorandum had been handed over to the office of the premier in May. The premier apparently tasked the department to attend to the issues. Read this report by Nompendulo Ngubane in full at GroundUp
Road Passenger Bargaining Council orders Putco to pay wage increase Fin24 reports that that SA Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPBC) has ordered bus operator Putco to pay 7% of the 9% wage increase applicable this year and to pay the remaining 2% from January 2019. Putco has also been ordered to pay bonuses for this year. This was reported by the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) and was in response to Putco’s application for exemption from the wage agreement which brought an end to the national bus strike earlier this year. The agreement stipulated a 9% in the 2018 period and 8% in 2019. Putco apparently cited fuel price hikes as a reason for its application for exemption. Satawu indicated that it was now accordingly confident of a favourable decision in respect of Golden Arrow, which has also sought an exemption. Union spokesperson Zanele Sabela said: “We are very hopeful because of this finding. Putco was pleading poverty. Golden Arrow is not pleading poverty. For them it is not about money. They have paid the first year’s increase but are applying for an exemption from the 8% increase in the second year.” Sabela added that there was little room for Golden Arrow to plead poverty in its bargaining council submissions, as the operator’s profits jumped up 11% to R300m this year. Read this report by Khulekani Magubane in full at Fin24. See too, CCMA orders Putco to pay wage agreement, at eNCA
June consumer inflation accelerates to 4.6% as fuel prices bite BusinessLive reports that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 4.6% in June from a year earlier, thanks mainly to rising fuel prices. While it picked up the pace from May’s 4.4% increase, the acceleration was slightly slower than predicted as expectations were for an increase of 4.8%. Fuel prices, which make up 4.58% of the CPI, increased by 16.3% in June from a year earlier, Statistics SA data showed on Wednesday. That followed a 9.4% increase in May from the previous year. Petrol prices rose by 82c a litre to a new record in June, while diesel prices rose by between 82c a litre and 87c a litre. There is little relief on the horizon for consumers, after further — though much smaller — increases took effect in July. Food inflation, which makes up more than 17% of the index, has slowed dramatically from the double-digit rates last seen in about April last year, and prices for food non-alcoholic beverages were flat in June — from inflation of 3.4% in May. Read this report by Tammy Foyn in full at BusinessLive. Read too, June inflation accelerates at fastest pace in 2018, at Moneyweb Cosatu calls for scrapping of VAT increase and for more VAT-exempt products GroundUp reports that about 50 workers affiliated to labour federation Cosatu gathered outside Parliament on Monday to call for the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) to be scrapped. VAT was raised from 14% to 15% on 1 April. The workers also demanded that the list of VAT-exempt products be expanded to include chicken, medicines and essential toiletries and that other forms of tax be considered. “There is scope for increasing taxes on the rich, such as inheritance, estate and income and luxury VAT taxes. Government needs to manage its R1.4 trillion budget properly before increasing taxes and further squeezing the poor,” said Matthew Parks, Cosatu’s parliamentary coordinator. In a memorandum, Cosatu urged government “to consider additional ways to make up the budget shortfall”. The Minister of Finance has appointed an independent panel of experts to review the current list of items that are rated zero for VAT. The panel will “consider the most effective way to mitigate the impact of the increase in the VAT rate on poor and low-income households. The deadline for the panel’s final report is 31 July 2018. Cosatu has given government 14 days to respond to its memorandum. Read this report by Aidan Jones in full at GroundUp
World-first sanitaryware machine a launch pad for rural jobs The Citizen reports that a machine that will produce the world’s first biodegradable menstrual hygiene pads has been unveiled at the historic Liliesleaf Farm, as part of the Nelson Mandela centenary commemorations. The technology was launched by the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) in collaboration with Cintron Energy Drink and Aakar, an Indian empowerment company. The NMF said: “The machine is revolutionary in that it is designed in five to six different parts to make a world standard product, but can be operated by women from underprivileged, rural backgrounds. We have been able to skill people in about two weeks to bring production to near full potential.” Various materials are used in parts of the sanitary napkins that are finally amalgamated as one pad, making it easier for a self-help group of women to work on a unit in a rural area. Each unit will be placed in a rural setting, giving 13 to 14 locals jobs. “This also creates sustainable livelihoods. It helps us meet several UN Millenial Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals,” the NMF said, adding that the machine would produce 2,000 to 2,500 pads a day. The product is reportedly “100% compostable”. Read this report by Chisom Jenniffer Okoye in full at The Citizen
Harambee’s ‘dating service’ approach to work gets young people into jobs Thomson Reuters Foundation reports on Harambee, a South African "youth employment accelerator" that links talent-hungry businesses with promising poor kids. "The best description I’ve heard is that we’re a dating service and a finishing school," said Lebo Nke, an executive at the social enterprise, which since 2011 has helped more than 50,000 youths find work. In SA, a record 5.5-million young people are searching for work unsuccessfully, many living in slums far from big employers. To change that, Harambee sends young recruiters into deprived townships and collects contacts of young people hoping for jobs. It then invites some into its offices for a day to gauge their interests and skills, test their analytical thinking, and help them create an e-mail account and CV. It also offers advice on everything from how to dress for a job interview to the kinds of questions they might be asked. Those without interview clothes can pick up an outfit free. Young people who show promise for challenging jobs get additional assessment and then vocational training — as much as eight weeks for call-centre work — once a specific opportunity is identified. Candidates then wait to be called for an interview when one of the 425 businesses Harambee partners with— from Nando’s restaurants to Microsoft and Standard Bank — come looking. Employers pay a share of Harambee’s spending to prepare a candidate if they hire one. Read this report by Laurie Goering in full at BusinessLive
Public not sufficiently concerned about impact of NHI, says Solidarity ANA reports that trade union Solidarity said on Wednesday the SA’s proposed national health insurance (NHI) would have the opposite effect of its aim to give all citizens decent access to health care. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the NHI bill last month, detailing a health financing system designed to pool funds to provide access to affordable health care. Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) researcher Morné Malan pointed out on Wednesday that in terms of the government’s own models, the economy was not growing fast enough to fund the proposal, and all pilot projects undertaken so far had “failed dismally”. He went on to observe: ““The public seems not to be sufficiently concerned about the drastic impact implementation of this system will have. The NHI amounts to nothing less than a de facto nationalisation of South Africa’s healthcare system.” Malan also pointed out that SA was experiencing serious shortages in the numbers of both taxpayers and health practitioners alike, and stood to suffer further losses if the NHI was implemented and resulted in those that could leave the country doing so. Read this report in full at The Citizen. Read Solidarity’s press statement in this regard at SA Labour News
Anglo American to close its SA corporate office defined benefit pension fund Moneyweb reports that Anglo American has advised pensioners that it will be closing the Anglo American Corporation Pension Fund (AACPF). The AACPF is the defined benefit fund that employees of Anglo’s Johannesburg Corporate Office were members of. The fund has been closed to new members for almost two decades after the company introduced a defined contribution pension fund. The AACPF has no contributory members and is primarily a pensioner fund. The closure will affect 2,030 pensioners and five employees who have retained their past service in the AACPF. An Anglo American SA spokesperson indicated that against the background of the ageing profile of the AACPF, the Anglo Corporate Division of Anglo Operations had decided to close the fund, but the benefits to which pensioners were entitled would be protected. Future pensions would be paid by Momentum. The spokesperson added that Anglo’s Johannesburg Corporate office, as well as the nature of the work deemed to be core to its business, has changed, and its staff numbers have reduced significantly in recent years in response to changing economic factors and a new organisational structure. Read this report by Ingé Lamprecht in full at Moneyweb
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