Today's Labour News

TOP STORY – CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN

First day back at work on Monday was testing for workers

Sowetan reports that workers who returned to work on Monday were battling with anxiety, while some complained about taxis leaving ranks with just a few passengers.  As the country moved to Alert Level 3 of the Covid-19 lockdown, commuters complained about being late for work.  Simon Mphahlele, manager at the Phumulong taxi rank in Atteridgeville, near Pretoria, said commuters had complaints because taxis were leaving without full loads.  “We only carry 70%, as stated in the regulations, but passengers are complaining.  They say they are late but there is nothing we can do.  We can’t break the law,” he said.  According to Mphahlele, there had been an increase in passengers, making it difficult for taxis to operate.  Queues were longer and there were fewer taxis because of the 70% rule.  Lerato Mokoele, from Meadowlands in Soweto, said she was anxious about starting work at a fish and chips outlet at the Baragwanath taxi rank.  “I feel scared and happy at the same time.  It’s been almost three months without pay,” said Mokoele.  She added that she and her three children had been relying on the Covid-19 relief grant from the government and though she received her Unemployment Insurance Fund claims, it was not enough.  Knowledge Barcela, who works at White Electronics in Roodepoort, said his landlord was demanding rent money, but he didn’t know where he would get it because he had just started at work.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by TimesLIVE and Noxolo Majavu on page 5 of Sowetan of 2 June 2020

Covid-19 relief fund payments should be a lot quicker this time around, Nxesi assures

EWN reports that Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister Thulas Nxesi on Tuesday advised that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) was making steady progress on its promise to earnestly start capturing and processing many Covid-19 relief benefits applications.  His department reported that a total of R1-billion had already been processed for payment to 252,378 workers represented by more than 26,000 employers.  The minister said the UIF was working around the clock to ensure that the outstanding payments were processed as soon as possible.  The cash payments to workers who have found themselves in the lurch as a result of lockdown have been significant in saving at least three million workers from poverty, Nxesi said in a statement.   He added that this time around the payments should be a lot quicker as the UIF already had details for most of the claimants.  “I have been assured that we would realise significant improvements in terms of payment turnaround time from claim submissions. Already, with all the information supplied, the UIF was able to pay some claim in 24 hours at best or 48 at worst, which is far more from when we started around 16 April,” Nxesi stated.

Read the original of the report in the above regard by Tara Penny at EWN

HEALTH & SAFETY

Labour department concerned that only 55% of businesses are Covid-19 compliant

EWN reports that the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) on Tuesday said that it was concerned that only 55% of SA businesses were complying with the health and safety regulations that aimed to keep workers safe from the Covid-19 virus.  Almost 8 million people returned to work this week as level three of the lockdown came into effect on Monday.  The DEL has sent out inspectors to offices to ensure that businesses were implementing social distancing and sanitizing, among other measures.  Acting chief inspector at the department, Tibor Szana, reported:  “We have found that their level of compliance has been static around this time and that is a concern for us.  We’ve had compliance levels of between 55% to 60% and if that is the case, we are in trouble.”  South Africans have echoed this sentiment, saying that stricter rules must be applied.  One person proposed:  “There must be a legislation that states whichever company does not comply will get a very hefty fine.”

Read the original of the report in the above regard by Mia Lindeque at EWN

Covid-19 claims seven lives at Kirkwood psychiatric facility in Eastern Cape

HeraldLIVE reports that Covid-19 has surfaced at the Life Esidimeni Kirkwood Care Centre in the Eastern Cape, with seven deaths recorded among the 29 patients and six employees infected.  Provincial health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo confirmed that 35 people had tested positive at the centre, ten of whom have recovered.  This came after it emerged last week that one resident had died at Life Esidimeni’s Lorraine Frail Care in Port Elizabeth, with 19 infected.  Life Esidimeni MD Puseletso Jaure said they were constrained by patient confidentiality and were unable to answer specific questions.  Asked about a dispute between unions and management on how to handle the situation at a meeting on Friday, she said she was not aware of that.  “We assure you that we are following the department of health and National Institute for Communicable Diseases protocols and guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus within our facility,” Jaure indicated.  Sanco Sundays River chair Mxolisi April said on Friday that they were concerned about the Covid-19 situation at the centre as the staff at the facility were all Kirkwood residents.  “This is a small town and the staff members use public transport to move back and forth between work and the communities where they live.  The hospital is the epicentre of the virus in this town and it should be closed,” April said.  A Nehawu shop steward commented:  “At the moment, the situation is very bad here and they need to do something.  We are calling for the centre to be deep-cleaned, for all the staff to be tested and for the infected patients to be quarantined.”

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Guy Rogers at HeraldLIVE

Fawu calls for private testing at Worcester factory after Covid-19 death

Cape Times reports that following the death of one of its a members, the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) has calling for the RCL Food Processors plant in Worcester to provide private testing for all its employees suspected to have contracted Covid-19.  According to Fawu, Monica Mphatsoane died on 28 May after falling ill.  A colleague observed:  "The problem with the virus is that some get sick but don’t show symptoms.  This could be the contributing factor to the spread at the workplace.  Others do go into isolation, but the wait is long for their test results.  The company is also not transparent with us, hence we requested the union to be involved.”  The union’s general secretary, Mayoyo Mngomezulu, said they had requested the Department of Labour to establish whether the company was in compliance with Covid-19 health and safety regulations.  “While the company did shut down for a day, members are still concerned over quarantine facilities for those who are not able to self-quarantine since many workers live in small, crowded houses.  For those who are referred to state facilities, waiting periods can take seven or more days.  For this reason, Fawu is urging RCL to rather provide private testing for its employees,” Mngomezulu stated.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Okuhle Hlati at Cape Times

Other internet posting(s) in this news category

• 'She was the perfect nurse', laments Anncha Kepkey’s husband's after her death of Covid-19, at News24
• One person treated for smoke inhalation after Joburg CBD office fire on Tuesday, at EWN

REOPENING OF SCHOOLS

Teachers union takes DBE to court over ‘immature’ reopening of schools next week

The Citizen reports that the Educators Union of SA (Eusa) says it is going ahead with its court action against the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE’s) intention to reopen schools on 8 June.  According to the union’s Scelo Bhengu, the department’s postponement of reopening schools until 8 June still did not provide enough time.  Schools were originally set to reopen for Grade 7 and Grade 12 learners on 1 June.  The union, which represents 27,000 teachers nationwide, will be seeking an interdict at the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday, on what it has labelled the “immature” reopening of schools.  Bhengu explained:  “We are demanding that before the reopening of schools, all teachers, learners and support staff must be tested for Covid-19 before the schools reopen and all those who test positive to be isolated at home with teachers and other staff on full salary.  We demand an adequate supply of personal protective equipment and hygienic products in all institutions of learning.”  Eusa has also written to President Cyril Ramaphosa asking him to remove Motshekga as the DBE minister.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen

Large quantities of PPE 'disappear' in KZN, costing education department 'millions'

News24 reports that according to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) education department, large quantities of personal protective equipment (PPE) have "disappeared" in Umlazi, Pinetown and Zululand.  Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu said in a statement on Tuesday that he was "shocked" at the reports.  The statement did not indicate whether the PPE had been stolen or not.  "It is said that these PPEs have disappeared en route to circuit offices and schools.  The disappearance of these PPEs makes the preparations for the reopening of schools an elusive goal.  The replacement of these PPEs will cost the department millions of rand ... money which the department does not have," Mshengu said.  He has directed the provincial head of department to urgently institute an investigation into the disappearance.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard at News24

JOB LOSSES

Sanef report reveals that hundreds of SA journalists lost their jobs due to Covid-19 lockdown

EWN reports that hundreds of journalists have been retrenched or temporarily laid-off as companies buckle under the pressure brought on by the national lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19.  A study conducted by the SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) indicated that the effects have been devastating, as witnessed through job losses and closure of print publications since the outbreak in March.  Over 300 media workers lost their jobs when two magazine publishers shut down recently.  However, it has been workers in small, independent, and local print publications who have been most ravaged, with the estimated jobs lost in the entire value chain amounting to 700 people.  Workers at three of the country’s biggest print media companies were forced to take salary cuts of up to 45%.  Freelancers were not spared either, with a survey of 276 people finding that 60% lost up to 70% of their income, with some respondents admitting they needed assistance with basics such as food.  The study opined that the crisis had demonstrated the need to think about emergency funding for the news media in the short-term while working on sustainable funding models.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Theto Mahlakoana at EWN

Drakenstein Municipality has lost R800m in income and has shed 2,200 jobs due to lockdown

Cape Argus reports that the Drakenstein Municipality has lost more than R800 million in income and 2,200 jobs as a result of the national Covid-19 lockdown.  This was revealed by mayor Conrad Poole during his budget speech last week.  The municipality is the second largest in the Western Cape.  Poole said:  “Manufacturing, retail trade and transport alone will account for more than 50% of the loss in income.  Drakenstein’s tourism sector has lost approximately R65m in income and has shed 700 jobs after two months of lockdown.”  Meanwhile, a proposal for no salary increases for councillors or employees of the municipality for the 2020/2021 financial year met with strong opposition from ANC councillor Thuso Mpulanyana.  He caused a stir by saying that the ANC’s 15 councillors on the 65-member council would oppose the plan as they had not been consulted.  Deputy mayor and financial services executive member Gert Combrink commented:  “It is morally wrong to implement the salary increases while businesses are closing down, people are losing their jobs and community members are at a loss for income."

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mwangi Githahu at Cape Argus

BUSINESS RESCUE

Public enterprises department says government has not yet discussed SAA rescue plan

TimesLIVE reports that the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) confirmed that it has received a draft business rescue plan for SA Airways (SAA), which is in business rescue.  “Government has not discussed the plan yet and no decisions have been taken on some of the proposals it contains,” the department said in a statement.  The DPE added that the government would review the plan prepared by the business rescue practitioners, explore various funding options and communicate its decisions in due course.  This response followed a report on Monday that government had agreed to fund a restructuring of SAA, if a business rescue plan for the struggling state-owned airline was adopted.  The DPE said the government had embraced the restructuring process as part of a path to a new, dynamic and financially viable airline that would serve SA’s economic and strategic interests.  Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday told the SA National Editors’ Forum that he saw a good future for the airline.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE. Read too, SAA rescue plan features more bailouts, at Engineering News

SALARY PAYMENTS

SAPS refutes as fake news a social media post claiming June salaries might not be paid

The Citizen reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) has dismissed a social media post alleging that June salaries might not be paid to its members.  In a tweet on Tuesday, the official SAPS Twitter account indicated that the message circulating on social media platforms was fake news.  “The SAPS wishes to refute these social media reports doing rounds.  Social media users are advised to verify the information before disseminating it.”  The fake social media post alleged that Police Minister Bheki Cele had told the media that SAPS members might not be paid their salary at the end of June due to the lockdown and “tax difficulties”.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen

MISCONDUCT / DISCIPLINARY ACTION

JSC to finally hear Western Cape judge president John Hlophe’s misconduct case

BL Premium reports that after a two-year delay, a date for the hearing of the 12-year-old gross misconduct complaint against Western Cape judge president John Hlophe has finally been set.  Judicial Service Commission (JSC) secretary Sello Chiloane advised on Monday that the 2008 complaint lodged against Hlophe by the Constitutional Court, after he was accused of trying to persuade two of its justices to swing a judgment in favour of the then ANC president Jacob Zuma, will be heard on 26 to 30 October.  The hearing has been put on hold since June 2018, because of an unresolved fees dispute between the justice department and Hlophe’s attorney, Barnabas Xulu.  Chiloane referred queries about whether the fees dispute had been resolved to Xulu, who did not respond to questions on the issue.  The JSC’s failure to reach any resolution of that 2008 complaint, which has spawned multiple court challenges and hascost taxpayers millions of rand in legal costs, has seen it facing growing criticism that it is failing to hold judges accused of wrongdoing to account.  That criticism intensified when Western Cape deputy judge president Patricia Goliath lodged a second gross misconduct against Hlophe earlier this year.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Karyn Maughan at BusinessLive (paywall access only). Read too, Date set for tribunal into Judge Hlophe complaint to resume, at The Citizen

OTHER REPORTS

Police watchdog to investigate sex worker’s death in custody in Mowbray police station in April

Cape Times reports that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is investigating the death of a sex worker while in police custody at Mowbray police station in April.  This after the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce, Sisonke, the National Movement of Sex Workers and the Triangle Project called for an investigation into the death of Robyn Montsumi.  Ipid spokesperson Sontaga Seisa advised:  “We received this death in police custody note of a 39-year-old woman in Mowbray police station.  Our investigation is ongoing.  Nobody has been arrested or held responsible for the death of the woman.”  In a statement, the organisations said the circumstances of Montsumi’s death had raised questions.  She was arrested for alleged possession of drugs and detained at the police station on 9 April.  Contrary to expectations, Montsumi was not released on bail in terms of the lockdown regulations.  Her partner was later told that she had hanged herself.  “Robyn was a sex worker and part of the LGBTQI+ family - marginalised key populations whose deaths and violations are often ignored.  We celebrate her life, mourn her passing and want to honour her memory by giving her the justice she deserves,” the organisations stated.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Isaacs at Cape Times