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
Monday, 27 May 2019.
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‘Most call centre jobs are a dead end for SA’s youth’ Post-doctoral Research Fellow Mohammad Amir Anwar notes that the SA government believes that the business processing industry is key to job creation and the sector has indeed created thousands of jobs, in particular for the country’s youth. Data from 2017 estimated that 228,642 people were employed in the sector. But unlike in India, the growth of SA’s business process outsourcing sector has not generated the kind of jobs that offer workers the chance of progressing up the career ladder. In SA, workers tend to get stuck in the same, low-level and poorly paid jobs with very few prospects of promotion or career development and their working conditions are also generally poor. The sector is always changing, upgrading its technologies and processes, which could indeed lead to social upgrading in the form of improvements in livelihood opportunities. But, the author’s research also found that the upgrading by firms led to intense workplace monitoring, insecure employment relations, a lack of career opportunities and adverse physical and psychological impacts. One of the problems with the sector’s flexible, precarious environment is that there is little room for agents’ internal progression within a firm, largely because of a high volume of temporary and part-time employees hired through labour agencies or contractors. The author concludes that the SA government needs to rethink its reliance on job incentives for employment generation in the business process outsourcing sector. Incentives have generated some jobs, but the questionable working conditions in the contact centres can have detrimental long-term impacts on workers. Read the above article in full at The Conversation
Eskom CEO Phakamani Hadebe twice ‘collapsed’ at work due to toll of the job City Press reports that it was third time lucky for Eskom chief executive Phakamani Hadebe, after the beleaguered parastatal finally accepted his resignation following two unsuccessful attempts to leave his post. Hadebe’s resignation was announced by Eskom on Friday, citing the toll the job was taking on his health as grounds for his departure. According to Rapport, Hadebe collapsed at work on two separate occasions and had to be taken to hospital by ambulance (not confirmed by Eskom). When he twice before attempted to hand in his resignation, he was persuaded to stay. On Friday, Hadebe said it was “no secret that this role comes with unimaginable demands, which have unfortunately had a negative impact on my health. In the best interests of Eskom and my family, I have therefore decided to step down.” He is expected to leave office at the end of July. Eskom board chairperson Jabu Mabuza told Rapport that Hadebe’s resignation was unexpected but “understandable” and he observed that it was going to be a challenge replacing him. But Professor Anton Eberhard, chairperson of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s task team on Eskom’s sustainability, welcomed Hadebe’s resignation. He tweeted: “Thank goodness. What has been known behind the scenes since April is now official and public. Now we need urgently to strengthen both executive management and the board at South Africa’s national power utility.” Read the full original of Antoinette Slabbert’s report in the above regard at City Press Read too, Departing Hadebe may not have won over Eskom staff, says analyst, at EWN
Giwusa approaches labour court seeking to get dismissals of 643 Amplats miners reversed Business Report writes that the General Industrial Workers Union of SA (Giwusa), whose members were dismissed by Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) for embarking on an unprotected strike, has approached the Labour Court to have the dismissals reversed on the basis that they were unfair. Giwusa branch secretary at the Mototolo mine in Burgersfort, Limpopo, Teddy Thobakgale, indicated on Friday that the court hearing would be on Tuesday. The company reported last week it had dismissed 643 workers after they embarked on an illegal strike on 12 May. But Thobakgale claimed that more than 900 employees had been axed. He said that appeal talks with the company on Thursday had deadlocked. “Appealing does not guarantee our members will get their jobs back. Only the courts can make a judgment on the dismissals,” Thobakgale commented. Giwusa members downed tools after blaming Amplats for changing medical aid benefits on the basis of “a unilateral change in employees conditions of service” when it took over the mine from Glencore last November. “Under Glencore employees did not contribute a cent towards medical aid of dependants. Under Amplats it is the opposite,” Thobakgale claimed. An Amplats spokesperson said the employees were employed on terms and conditions that were on the whole not less favourable than the terms under which they had been employed by Glencore. Read the full original of Dineo Faku’s report on this story at Business Report
Cosatu urges Ramaphosa to consider Cabinet of between 20 and 25 ministers EWN reports that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has said that a Cabinet of between 20 and 25 ministers was what President Cyril Ramaphosa should consider. The labour federation also questioned the role of deputy ministers in the Cabinet. Cosatu general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali opined that Ramaphosa would have to look at people with capacity and competence ahead of the much-anticipated Cabinet announcement. "Our advice we're sending to the president would be to look at people of capacity, competence, people with a clean record. Then he would have to look at the questions of gender, and the youth." According to Ntshalintshali, a mix in Cabinet of young people and those who have performed well in the past would help. The original of this short report by Ayanda Frances Felem is at EWN
Permanent jobs at Telkom reduced by 12.5% in financial year to March Reuters reports that Telkom SA said on Monday that it had cut 12.5% of the group’s permanent jobs in the financial year to 31 March 2019 through voluntary severance packages, voluntary early retirement packages and other layoffs. This came as it posted a 22.6% surge in full-year earnings, with upbeat performance in its mobile business having offset declines in the traditional fixed-line unit. Telkom indicated that the group had 15,296 permanent jobs on 31 March, down from 17,472 in the year ending March 2018. Some job cuts came from Telkom‘s information and communications technology business BCX, where the number of permanent employees fell 13.4% to 5,782 under a cost reduction programme. “We expect the savings from this programme to come through in the next financial year,” Telkom said in its results statement. Telkom, 40% owned by the state, is seeking to transform the business with heavy investments in its mobile phone unit and by rolling out fibre internet packages. Mobile service revenue climbed 58.3% to R8.2 billion, while fixed service revenue fell 8.8%. Read the original of Nqobile Dludla’s report on this story at Moneyweb
Probe into racism and torture of black staff at Kruger National Park City Press reports that an investigation has been launched into widespread allegations of racism and arbitrary torture of black staff in the Kruger National Park (KNP). In March, the newspaper reported on complaints by black employees about being assaulted, maimed and internally charged on baseless allegations of rhino poaching by their white superiors. No white employee, according to the complainants, had been accused of rhino poaching and subjected to the same torture or disciplinary action. They alleged white employees were often let off the hook for serious offences while their black colleagues were often hauled over the coals for minor or baseless issues. SANParks repeatedly denied that black rangers and other black employees were being targeted and defended its disciplinary actions, saying they were properly done with every procedure followed. But last week, SANParks’ spokesperson Isaac Phaahla confirmed that an investigation had been commissioned, but declined to give more details. Apparently advocate Boyce Mkhize has been appointed to probe the allegations (as detailed in the report). Some employees at the park commented that they were happy now that their complaints were finally being taken seriously. “This is finally happening after such a long time of denial by SANParks. We would like to see all the racist people being dealt with,” said one employee. Read more of this City Press report by Sizwe Sama Yende at SA Labour News
SABC sacks presenter Khaya Matchegue after uproar over postings ‘corrupting women into prostitution’ SowetanLive reports that a Ligwalagwala FM presenter has been fired for apparently posting videos on social media calling for men to give money to their wives and girlfriends. This sparked a backlash from listeners who complained she was "corrupting women into prostitution". The SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said on Sunday that Khaya Matchegue, who co-presented Khibika natsi, a midday show on weekdays, had had her contract terminated. Matchegue posted a series of videos on social media, in one of which she can be heard saying: "If a man doesn't give you money, he's probably giving it to someone else." Ligwalagwala FM released a statement on Friday indicating that the decision was based solely on Matchegue's admission of guilt in a report she wrote to the station's management that acknowledged her contravention of her contractual obligation to the SABC. "She admitted that her actions have brought the brand into disrepute and polarised the principal client, which is the listener of the station," the statement indicated. Read the full original of Mandla Khoza’s report on this story at SowetanLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Worcester prison warden arrested in sting operation after allegedly taking money and drugs News24 reports that a Western Cape prison warden has been arrested after allegedly taking money and drugs from a police agent in a sting operation following suspicions that he was involved in corrupt activities. Police spokesperson, Captain FC Van Wyk reported on Sunday: "On Saturday at approximately 13:05 an intelligence undercover operation was conducted by members attached to the Anti-Gang Unit (Visible and Detective Component). Information was received with regard to a possible corrupt official attached to Worcester Correctional Service. The operation was conducted at a fast food outlet in Worcester. R3,000 in cash as well as 295 grams of tik were taken by the suspect from the SAPS agent, which led to his arrest." The 29-year-old male warder was scheduled to appear in the Worcester Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Read the original of a report in the above regard by Poloko Tau at News24 HR employee at Ekurhuleni metro arrested for 'selling' jobs TimesLIVE reports that a Gauteng metro employee working in the human resources (HR) department is in custody for allegedly defrauding job-seekers. The 39-year-old suspect was arrested following in-depth and lengthy investigations, the City of Ekurhuleni said on Monday. "The suspect used a stolen identity document to open a bank account into which monies for selling jobs were paid," the metro reported. Under the Regulation of Interception of Communications Act (Rica), authorities tracked the cellphone number reflected on the job advertisements. The metro police's security & loss control unit uncovered 10 cellphones, several sim cards and a laptop at the suspect's house. A case of fraud has been opened at the Boksburg police station and the suspect will appear in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court soon. The original of this short report is at TimesLIVE
Cape Town not giving up on running Metrorail Fin24 reports that according to City of Cape Town councillor Angus McKenzie, the Democratic Alliance (DA) run metro would not be giving up its fight to have national government cede management responsibility of the Metrorail network in the city. His remarks came as the Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality pressed on with its legal application to manage its own Metrorail network. Metrorail networks currently fall under the responsibility of the national government. Cape Town’s trains and stations have been beset with vandalism, aging infrastructure and delays. McKenzie commented: "For Cape Town it’s really critical that we sort out Metrorail. The application is in. We are in the process of building additional lines to link certain areas outside the centre of the city. We want that power devolved to us." Read the full original of Khulekani Magubane in the above regard at Fin24
Four bogus cops nabbed in central Johannesburg for extortion over ‘expired passports’ News24 reports that four persons impersonating police officials were arrested in central Johannesburg while allegedly demanding bribes from foreign nationals by claiming their passports had expired. Police said the suspects, three woman and a man aged between 27 and 45, were arrested on Friday morning. Police spokesperson, Captain Xoli Mbele indicated: "Two female suspects were arrested at corner Twist and Plein Street at 11:30. Police recovered two fake appointment police certificates. The other two suspects were apprehended at corner Noord and Wanderers Street at 11:45. They stopped three foreign nationals demanding passports." They had apparently told one of the victims that his passport had expired and they demanded R3,000. The pair were arrested while still demanding money from their victims. Mbele said an investigation was underway. The suspects were scheduled expected to appear at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Read the full original of Poloko Tau’s report on this story at News24 Bogus Hawks official arrested for soliciting bribes from crime suspects TimesLIVE reports that the Hawks on Friday arrested a 40-year-old man who had been masquerading as a Hawks investigator. His arrest followed a two-month probe by the Hawks, who received numerous complaints from people claiming to have been approached by Hawks investigators with the ranks of colonels, brigadiers and major-generals. The bogus Hawks official attempted to extort large sums of money from the persons he contacted in exchange for destroying case dockets or files that implicated them. The modus operandi entailed calling and sending text messages to unsuspecting subjects of Hawks investigations. Among the victims of the scam was a Johannesburg businessman who had been contacted by a "Maj-Gen Moodley of the Hawks based in Bloemfontein, Free State". Hawks spokesperson Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi said that following receipt of that information, the Hawks had conducted an extensive investigation, which led to the arrest of a man from Honeydew, Johannesburg, on Friday. The suspect was scheduled to appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of extortion and impersonating a police official. Read the full original of Ernest Mabuza’s report on this story at TimesLIVE
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