In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Monday, 1 April 2019.
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Khayelitsha policing forum to start pilot project to ensure paramedic crews' safety EWN reports that the Khayelitsha Health Forum has scheduled a meeting with police, the Khayelitsha community policing forum and local neighbourhood watch groups to set up teams that will be available 24 hours a day to safely escort ambulances to their patients in the area. There have been two attacks on ambulance staff in the area in recent weeks, while paramedics were also held at gunpoint in Kraaifontein. The forum's Mzanywa Ndibongo said that paramedics should not have to fear for their safety when on duty and the setting up of teams was one of the solutions to help curb attacks on paramedic discussed at a health summit in the area over the weekend. There are several red zone areas in some of Cape Town's gang-stricken communities that ambulances cannot enter without a police escort, but patients could die while ambulance crews wait for police to escort them. “We are going to start a pilot project in Site C, Makhaya, and Harare because those places are red zones,” Ndibongo indicated, adding that the forum was also planning awareness programmes to teach residents that they were partly responsible for ensuring the safety of paramedics. Read the original of Lauren Isaacs’s short report on this matter at EWN PSA blasts authorities for understaffing after murder of warder at Goedemoed prison ANA reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) on Monday blasted the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) over inadequate staffing after a female prison warder was stabbed to death during a hostage ordeal at the Goedemoed Medium Correctional Centre. PSA general manager Ivan Fredericks said an inmate at the prison serving a life sentence held two female warders, aged 33 and 35, hostage on Friday. The 35-year-old was stabbed to death during the hostage ordeal. Her colleague was released after hours of negotiations with the prisoner. “The PSA believes that these attacks could have been avoided if sufficient officials were on duty. Goedemoed Center functions over weekends with only half of its staff establishment because of the shift pattern that applies at the centre. How many lives must be sacrificed before the department wakes up and ensures that it complies with its own member-inmate-ratio document and adequate staffing?” Fredericks asked. The deceased warder was identified as Nomsa Joyce Stuurman. She was allegedly stabbed in the neck with a pair of scissors. It has been further alleged that her colleague was raped by the inmate. Fredericks said understaffing at the prison was a “ticking time bomb”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen. Read too, Rapist and killer inmate ‘had applied for parole’, at SowetanLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Amcu to give update on Monday to striking members at Sibanye-Stillwater’s gold operations ANA reported on Monday that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) was due later in the day to update its members about the ongoing workers’ strike at Sibanye-Stillwater’s gold operations. The meeting was scheduled to be held at the Masizakhele Stadium at Sibanye Driefontein operations and the union’s national leadership was expected to address members. At least 15,000 Amcu members downed tools on 22 November 2018 at Driefontein, Kloof and Beatrix, Sibanye’s local gold operations, demanding higher wages increases than those agreed by the producer with three other unions. Amcu is demanding R1,000 yearly wage increments for the next three years, while the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Solidarity, and Uasa accepted R750 per year for each of the next three years. Amcu has apparently received a mandate from its members to accept a settlement agreement proposed by the Commission of Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) during a dispute resolution process. This reportedly includes a payment of R5,700, coupled with other issues as contained in the previous settlement agreement, inclusive of a salary advance of R5,000 and debt consolidation. Meanwhile, Amcu said it was optimistic that the wage dispute could be resolved through the intervention of Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen CRG mineworkers wait for salaries after company shut its gates without notice The Star reports that troubled mining company Central Rand Gold (CRG) has left more than 100 workers in limbo after it shut its gates without giving them notice. Employees said they were sinking deeper into debt due to the non-payment of their salaries in February and March. According to the workers, since 2017 there had been months when they only got half their salaries, sometimes past payday, without explanation. Then earlier in March, they arrived at work and found the gates locked with armed security manning the entrance. CRG chief executive Dominic van Wyk indicated: “We will do a press release in about two weeks' time. No comment for (today’s) article. We are in negotiations and we will be able to tell you in about a week or two.” The employees said they were angry that their union, the Building, Allied Mining and Construction Workers’ Union (Bamcwu), had done little to help them despite drawing monthly membership fees. The union and CRG were engaged in negotiations aimed at finding a solution, Bamcwu general secretary Zolile Smous advised. Continuing negotiations entailed looking at whether CRG’s Chinese owners would pump in the millions of rands required to save the company, Smous said. He reported that the management had admitted that the mine was financially stressed, adding that CRG owed the workers, as well as various creditors, millions. Read the full original of Sibongile Mashaba’s report on this story at The Star NUM wants drastic action taken against Modikwa Platinum mine following another death Sowetan reports that according to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the death on Thursday of Thomas Maluleke in a fall of ground incident at Modikwa Platinum Mine in Limpopo brought to 11 the total number of fatalities at the mine between 2003 and this year. The union’s north-east regional secretary, Phillip Mankge, now wants action taken against the company, situated outside Burgersfort. “We’re shocked and disappointed that another mineworker has lost his life at Modikwa,” he said on Sunday, adding that one death was one too many and that the union would call on the Department of Mineral Resources to implement the Mine Health and Safety Act to its fullest. It is the union’s view that drastic action is needed to compel the mining industry to comply with safety standards and procedures. Mankge claimed that the area where Maluleke had died was not safe for mining and that identification of hazards had not been done before Maluleke entered the area. “It is still unclear why he was allowed to enter under those dangerous circumstances,” he said. Read the full original of Frank Maponya’s report on this story on page 10 of Sowetan of 1 April 2019
Wage settlement 'imminent' in SARS strike as unions consider offer SowetanLive reports that according to the SA Revenue Service (SARS), a wage settlement with its representative unions, the Public Servants Association (PSA) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), was "imminent". Industrial action at the agency continued on Monday. SARS spokesperson Sandile Memela said in a statement on Monday: "The parties have made substantial progress in narrowing their areas of dispute and there is a possibility of reaching an agreement and settling the dispute.” PSA general manager Ivan Fredericks confirmed on Monday that there was a draft wage settlement agreement on the table and said that members should note that “the current strike action is suspended until the mandate process on the revised offer from the employer has been considered and concluded.” The draft wage agreement includes an 8% salary increase from Monday; a projected CPI plus 2% salary increase on 1 April 2020 and 2021 respectively; eight days of prenatal and vaccination leave; and five days of family responsibility leave every two years. Nehawu said it would give feedback to its members on Monday. Nehawu and the PSA represent about 10,000 SARS employees. Read the full original of the report by Nico Gous on these developments at SowetanLive. See too, Wage settlement with unions imminent, says SARS, at BusinessLive. And also, PSA to recommend to members to accept SARS offer, at SABC News Numsa accuses police and ArcelorMittal of colluding against striking workers EWN reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has accused the police and steel producer ArcelorMittal of colluding to unleash a fury of violence against striking workers and community members in Boipatong. Residents in the area have been protesting for provision of electricity for weeks. Meanwhile, a workers’ strike has also been ongoing at the steel plant in the area. On Thursday, a resident was shot and wounded at point-blank range. Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola accused police and the company of deliberately attacking protesters, saying: “It is our firm belief that the SA Police Service is acting in collusion with the management of ArcelorMittal, and together they have unleashed on striking workers and surrounding community of Boipatong and Sedibeng.” The original of Robinson Nqola’s short report on this story is at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SA Express looks to cutting of jobs to be more competitive City Press reports that a SA Express board committee has approved a move to cut jobs at the struggling airline following a request made by acting boss Siza Mzimela. In a confidential report, dated 31 January and presented at a meeting of the remuneration and HR transformation committee, Mzimela sought and obtained approval to proceed with downsizing staff in terms of a “right-sizing initiative”. “SA Express is not competitive in the market place and not optimally operating in regard to its income generation. To ensure operational efficiency, improved service delivery and profitability, redundancies and duplication must be identified and addressed,” Mzimela indicated. By the end of January, the airline had a headcount of 822 employees and 10 aircraft, with a projection to have 15 aircraft by the end of this month. Mzimela argued that “we are overstaffed in that our ratio of employee per aircraft is 56 compared with our competitor, Airlink, at 24.” Part of cutting jobs would include closing stations at places where SA Express did not fly, such as George, Richards Bay and Durban. Employees would be offered voluntary severance packages, but the focus would be to keep skilled, competent and performing employees. If this failed, the airline would contemplate terminating employees in the corporate services department due to operational requirements. Consultations were to be conducted with unions and the process would be facilitated by the CCMA. SA Express’ acting general manager for human capital, Thuli Mpshe, said: “The airline has not yet taken a definitive decision on its staffing levels. Should it do that, SA Express will commit itself fully to all due labour relations processes.” Read more of the City Press report by Msinsidi Fengu and Poloko Tau on this story at SA Labour News
Cape Town approves funding to upskill Expanded Public Works Programme participants ANA reports that the City of Cape Town council has approved R13.78 million to upskill participants in its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), with 170 set to receive SA Qualifications Authority-accredited training and skills development in the first project. The council said the training had been tailor-made for school leavers or unemployed individuals, with the minimum requirement being a Grade 11 or a Grade 12 certificate or the individual having been unemployed for more than two years. Mayoral committee member for urban management Grant Twigg said: “This training intervention is a huge opportunity for individuals to upskill themselves to enable them to tackle opportunities in the digital space. What stands out for me is the fact that all 170 individuals are guaranteed to be placed in a permanent call centre job at the end of the training.” The bulk of the money will be used to specifically address the critical technology skills shortage associated with the fourth industrial revolution. This will see 345 unemployed youth aged between 18 and 34 being trained over a 12-month period, with 80% getting placements in learnerships or internships. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen
Motsoaledi promises NHI will be a reality in next administration EWN reports that according to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, the government is serious about rolling out the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme across the country in the next five years. Speaking at the ANC’s election manifesto briefing on Sunday, Motsoaledi said that President Cyril Ramaphosa was now in charge of the project that aimed to provide equal health care for all South Africans regardless of their financial situation. Noting that the public healthcare system in the country was heavily constrained and needed a complete overhaul, Motsoaledi indicated that government had established a war room to finalise the bill in order to pass the NHI legislation. He promised that the NHI would be a reality in the next administration. Read the original of Bonga Dlulane’s short report in the above regard at EWN
Focus shifts in Cape Town to train patrols after rise in commuter robberies Cape Times reports that rail safety authorities in Cape Town shifted their focus last week to train patrols and to opposing bail applications following a recent increase in reported robberies of commuters. Thirteen suspects were arrested for damage to infrastructure, attempted cable theft, trespassing and for being in possession of drugs, among other crimes. The arrests were made by Prasa Protection Services, the SAPS Rapid Rail Response Unit and private security contractors. A total of 42 court cases were attended to and bail applications were successfully opposed, meaning all suspects remained in custody while awaiting trial. Metrorail regional manager Richard Walker said: “We have noted that criminals tend to move to other areas when enforcement closes in on their territory. The reports of a spike in incidents in the north is concerning and the teams will therefore continue to focus on the northern line to ensure that we rid the trains and stations of thugs.” Transport Mayoral Committee member Felicity Purchase commented: “The Rail Enforcement Unit (REU) is making steady progress, and I’m eager to see more commuters making use of the trains as the service stabilises over time.” Read the full original of Okuhle Hlati’s report on the above at Cape Times Taxi fare increase on the cards SABC News reports that according to taxi organisation Santaco, a taxi fare increase might be on the cards in light of the steep fuel hike that will take effect on Wednesday. The Energy Department has announced that the petrol price will rise by R1.34, diesel by R0. 82 and illuminating paraffin by R0.63 a litre. The department cited a number of factors as responsible for the hike, including a weak Rand against the dollar and higher oil crude prices in the international market. Santaco’s president, Philip Taibos, said their national executive would meet on Monday to chart a way forward. He commented: “It’s putting us in such a very precarious position. We service the poorest of the poor. We service people who go every day and look for work. We are forced to be looking at the prices. We are going to look into these petrol prices, but I don’t see a way in which the taxi industry will not increase. The increase is imminent because we must keep these vehicles on the road and keep on servicing people.” The original of this short report is at SABC News
Sex work might be decriminalised, Ramaphosa tells activists SowetanLive reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa told dozens of women and civil organisations on Thursday that the government was looking into decriminalising sex work. He was speaking in Oakdene, Johannesburg, where he signed a gender-based violence declaration and opened a newly-built court building. The president told his audience that the government and its partners were working to review existing laws and policies that related to gender-based violence and femicide to determine if these were still adequate. "We will finalise the outstanding legislation such as the prevention and combating [of] hate crime, the hate crime bill and victim support services. We will work with all stakeholders to develop policy around the decriminalisation of sex work," the president indicated. His comments were greeted by loud cheers from women activists and members of nongovernmental organisations against gender-based violence. He also said there was a need for the government to investigate harmful religious and cultural practices that led to the exploitation of women and children. Read the full original of Pertunia Mafokwane’s report on this story at SowetanLive
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