In our morning roundup, see summaries
of our selection of recent South African labour-
labour-related reports.
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Covid-19 anti-vaxxers face being hit with increased Discovery Life premiums Sunday Times Daily reports that anti-vaxxers who don’t take the Covid-19 jab could “unfortunately” be hit with higher Discovery Life premiums, while those who are vaccinated will benefit from lower premiums. This was because of the increased risk of not being vaccinated, Discovery Life CEO Riaan van Reenen said. This kicked in for new clients from Thursday. The insurer’s announcement on Thursday afternoon — of what it called a “first-of-its-kind underwriting determinant for the South African life insurance market” — predictably infuriated anti-vaxxers and delighted pro-vaxxers in equal measure. Van Reenen said: “We want to reward our clients who have helped the country by getting vaccinated. Through our premium PayBack reward mechanism, we are offering all qualifying clients their maximum possible PayBack, given their selected PayBack option and Integrator type, for the first year of their new policy. Clients are asked upfront if they have already been vaccinated, or if they plan to get vaccinated as soon as circumstances allow. If they answer yes they will get the offer.” Van Reenen went on to explain: “Refusal to be vaccinated is treated similarly to smoking or lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, which receive a higher premium. This premium will be adjusted should an unvaccinated client later decide to get vaccinated.” A Discovery spokesperson confirmed that existing clients’ risk and premium would not be affected by their vaccination status. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Wendy Knowler at TimesLIVE Workplace vaccination sites given permission to offer jabs to employees of all ages BL Premium reports that the Department of Health (DOH) has opened coronavirus vaccination at approved workplace sites to all employees over the age of 18, thus scrapping restrictions that have until now limited the jabs to the age groups eligible in the national rollout. The development helps simplify the government’s increasingly complex inoculation programme. Shots are currently being offered to people aged 35 years and older. From 1 September 1 eligibility will expand to anyone aged 18 years and above. The Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers Union welcomed the decision to open workplace vaccination sites to all adults, saying it would help ensure SA reached population immunity as quickly as possible. The policy shift comes as the public and private sectors ramp up capacity in anticipation of increased vaccine supplies in August and September. Supplies were likely to remain constrained for the next week to 10 days but were expected to improve significantly as sizeable deliveries from Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson came into the system, said Business for SA’s Martin Kingston. Vaccination sites received fewer doses in July than they had capacity to administer. “Although we have immediate short-term constraints we have got enough vaccine for the entire eligible population. We anticipate that by October more than 80% of the adult population could have received their first dose,” Kingston indicated. Increased supplies in the month ahead could see the vaccination programme ramp up to administering 420,000 doses a day by late August. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive No employee should be dismissed over refusal to vaccinate, warns Cosatu The Star reports that labour federation Cosatu has issued a stern warning to employers who were allegedly victimising workers who did not want to take the Covid-19 vaccine for religious or medical reasons. This came after reports of workers expressing fears of being victimised or losing their jobs should they refuse to get vaccinated. Cosatu’s labour market co-ordinator, Lebogang Mulaisi, said that, according to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, employers were obligated to provide a healthy and safe place for workers. She said no employee should be dismissed over a refusal to vaccinate. “Ideally what should happen is that workers should be consulted, they should be given guidance and counselling, and the benefits of taking the vaccine, and if the worker feels that they do not want (it), they cannot be prejudiced,” Mulaisi indicated. The OHS directive compels employers to respect the constitutional rights of workers and workers have rights to religious beliefs and bodily integrity. In addition, an employer has the obligation to take into consideration medical reasons why the employees would not want to take the vaccine. Mulaisi appealed to employers to work with staff to find a solution: “This means looking for ways where the worker can work remotely or maybe looking for ways where the employer can place the worker where they are not in a congregate setting.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Itumeleng Mafisa at The Star. Read too, SAHRC wants employees threatened with dismissal or eviction for refusing Covid-19 jab to come forward, at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Gold Fields vaccinating South Deep mine employees, contractors Mining Weekly reports that gold producer Gold Fields’ South Deep mine has received permission from the Department of Health to provide on-site vaccinations to all employees and contractors who wish to be vaccinated during the week of 26 to 31 July. The vaccination of the workforce is currently under way in line with the necessary medical and administrative protocols, the miner said in a statement on Thursday, adding that the vaccines were the first of a two-dose regime, with the second dose planned to be administered in the prescribed time period. “We have undertaken extensive education and communication efforts over the past months and are confident that a significant number of eligible employees and contractors will avail themselves of this opportunity,” said South Deep occupational medical practitioner Dr Khutso Setati. He added that the mine was not in a position to start vaccinating employees’ family members or members of the surrounding community. South Deep has, so far, vaccinated 1,628 of its employees, representing just over 38% of the workforce. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Nearly a quarter of Sibanye-Stillwater’s South African employees now Covid-19 vaccinated Mining Weekly reports that precious metals producer Sibanye-Stillwater has vaccinated just over 8,500 of its South African employees in the last week, bringing the total number of vaccinated employees to 18,500. About 23% of the company’s 80 000-strong workforce in South Africa are now vaccinated against coronavirus. Sibanye hosted representatives of the departments of Health and Mineral Resources and Energy on Thursday for them to observe the vaccination programme currently under way at the company’s platinum group metals operations in Rustenburg and Marikana. Sibanye noted that the vaccination of its employees in the mining sector and communities surrounding mine sites would contribute to government’s goal of national population immunity by February 2022. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Other general posting(s) relating to mining
PSA welcomes closure of 'death trap' Musina Magistrate's Court for health and safety act violations News24 reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) has welcomed the closure of the "death trap" Musina Magistrate's Court, which it believed was "in danger of collapsing, owing to structure support failure". The trade union indicated in a statement: "The closure comes after a long battle with the [justice] department as employees were subjected to an unsafe work environment that was in contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)." On Monday, the Department of Employment and Labour issued the court with a prohibition notice in terms of the OHSA, according to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development's spokesperson, Steve Mahlangu. "Until all issues raised by the Department of Labour have been attended to and the building receives clearance, the Cash Hall Building that houses Court A (District Court) and Court B (Regional Court) is deemed to be out of bounds effective immediately," Mahlangu advised. In the meantime, cases will be postponed outside the court building on a daily basis. Matters relating to witnesses' fees or for the cash hall, domestic violence applications, and already enrolled maintenance matters will be attended to from the available mobile structure. Service delivery at the Masisi Periodical Court will not be affected. The PSA said the closure could have been avoided if the issues raised in the contravention notice had been attended to. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 Police hunt for four suspects involved in two attacks on Tuesday on Mpumalanga cops TimesLIVE reports that Mpumalanga police are on the hunt for four men in connection with two hijacking and shooting incidents involving two police officers this week. The incidents happened on Tuesday in Acornhoek and Carolina respectively. In the first incident, a constable based at Bushbuckridge police station was driving when a passenger vehicle without a registration number abruptly stopped in front of him. Police spokesperson Brig Leonard Hlathi reported further: “Three suspects, armed with a firearm, got out of their car and went straight to him. They pointed the firearm at him, dragged him out of his car and shot him on his lower body before putting him inside the boot of his car. The suspects drove with him and later stopped at Shatale village where they dropped him off on the street. They drove away in his private car which was later found left abandoned at Matsikitsane area in the bushes.” The victim managed to get help from community members and is in hospital. In the second incident, two suspects appeared in the Carolina Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, a day after they were arrested in connection with the alleged hijacking of an off-duty officer. Reports indicate that the two were among a group of three armed men who were involved in an attack on the officer in a car hijacking incident at Balfour. The suspects assaulted the officer, held him hostage and robbed him of his bank cards, ID document and other belongings before dropping him off next to the road near Vosloorus. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khanyisile Ngcobo at TimesLIVE Uber launches women-only passenger feature for female drivers in SA News24 reports that ride-hailing app Uber has launched a women-only feature that will give female drivers the option to select a preference to pick up passengers of the same sex. Uber sub-Saharan Africa head of policy Busisiwe Khaba said on Thursday: "We have already doubled the number of women in our active driver base, and launching the 'Women Preferred View' feature is another positive move towards paving the way for more women to take part in the ride-sharing industry. We are also excited that this feature enables current female drivers with the power of choice and convenience when using the Uber app." This feature came after months of research and pilot programmes, with the aim of encouraging more women to drive on the platform, therefore "increasing access to flexible economic opportunities provided by Uber". Female drivers can activate the feature at any time by switching on the rider gender preference in their driver app settings, while passengers, on the other hand, will be notified about the feature and will be asked to specify their gender on the app. These features come in light of the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in the country. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Canny Maphanga at News24
SA Policing Union feels let down by majority unions over signed public sector wage offer The Star reports that the SA Policing Union (SAPU) has expressed disappointment that a majority of public sector unions have signed the latest wage offer from the South African government. This was indicated after unions representing a majority of civil servants signed the government's offer of a 1.5% increase and a monthly cash gratuity this week. Public sector wage negotiations had been deadlocked for months, as unions were reluctant to agree to the earlier wage increase offered by the government. SAPU threatened to go on strike, but has been disappointed by the assent to the offer by a majority of unions. Peter Ntsime, SAPU general secretary, said they were shocked that other unions had signed the offer, forcing the minority of unions to accept the deal. More than 60% of unions accepted the offer, meaning it would apply to all public servants. The deal will be implemented from next month. Ntsime said there were several problems with the agreed upon offer. The union was also concerned that it would affect future negotiations by putting workers at a disadvantage. “This agreement does not increase the pensions of civil servants… The cash allowances which are R1,220 for employees on salary level 1 and R1,965 for salary level 12 with others varying in between are non-pensionable and taxable,” Ntsime stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Itumeleng Mafisa at The Star Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Formal sector salaries still below pre-pandemic levels, BankservAfrica index suggests Fin24 reports that the latest BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BTPI) suggests that salaries in SA have not recovered to levels seen three or four years ago. The index, which indicates trends in SA salaries, is derived from salary payments made to approximately three million people, or about 36% of the country's workforce. The real salary for June 2021 was R12,496, or R14,883 in nominal terms, BankservAfrica's Shergeran Naidoo reported. There was a sharp rise in total salaries paid into bank accounts in June 2021 in real annual terms, as June 2020 had seen a very weak number. Despite that increase, the June 2021 wage was still slightly lower than the June 2018 average. "Total salary payments are not yet back at the levels seen two, three or even four years ago. The decline in total take-home pay paid to all the employees shows the Covid-19 pandemic still influences the number of people employed in the formal sector and the total real amount paid," said economist Mike Schüssler. "When we look at salaries in a 'normal year' by comparing it to figures two years ago and before the pandemic hit, the total money paid to all the employees into the National Payment System for 2021 was still about 3% lower than in 2019," Naidoo noted. However, she pointed out that the actual decline was likely to be smaller than reflected by the index, as the monthly data reflected the returns of daily and weekly paid workers on the payments system - and their earnings, on average, were less. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Anathi Madubela at Fin24
Unions representing Mango employees claim they are being 'blackmailed' by SAA to drop their business rescue application Fin24 reports that the unions that have filed an urgent High Court application to have Mango Airlines placed in business rescue claim that its parent company, SA Airways (SAA), is trying to get them to drop the case in return for getting money transferred to pay outstanding salaries. "It seems we are being blackmailed," Zazi Nsibanyoni-Mugambi of the SA Cabin Crew Association (Sacca) said on Thursday. She reported that her claim was echoed by the other two unions involved in the court application, namely the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and the Mango Pilots' Association (MPA). "It seems there are hidden agendas that will come to the fore. We are still consulting with our lawyers. This is disgraceful behaviour," said Nsibanyoni-Mugambi. Jordan Butler of the MPA said SAA had made it clear that, if the three unions continued with their urgent application to have Mango placed in business rescue, then bridging finance to pay outstanding Mango salaries would not be paid over. On the other hand, SAA had indicated that, if the unions decided not to go ahead with their urgent application, SAA would pay over monies for Mango salaries. Butler's understanding is that SAA and government would prefer to bring their own business rescue application, "because then they can guide the process via their selected business rescue practitioner - as was the case with SAA". Mango is about R2.5 billion in debt. In June an aircraft lessor company initiated liquidation application proceedings against Mango. The court date was, however, postponed to August following negotiations between Mango and the creditor. Mango employs about 750 people. Mango employees have continued working "out of sheer goodwill" and despite being owed the equivalent of about six months' worth of salaries. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carin Smith at Fin24
After director-general’s precautionary suspension, Blade Nzimande dismisses abuse of power claims News24 reports that according to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, it was the matter of financial discrepancies that led to the suspension of his director general (DG), Gwebinkundla Qonde. In a statement on Thursday, the higher education department dismissed "with contempt" claims by Qonde "that the minister wanted him out of the department since 2019" and indicated that the decision to place Qonde under precautionary suspension emanated from an adverse audit report by the Auditor-General of SA (AGSA). The statement indicated: “The AGSA found that much of a total amount of just under R5 billion could not be properly accounted for over two financial years by the National Skills Fund [NSF].” Qonde was suspended with full pay and benefits. His term ends on 6 September. In the statement, Nzimande said there were indeed huge sums of money that the AGSA found could not be properly accounted for. "The DG of the [department], by virtue of this position, is also the accounting authority of the NSF. He therefore has the responsibility for all the funds and their expenditure. Whilst DG Qonde has not as yet been found guilty, a precautionary suspension is necessary so that a comprehensive forensic investigation into the NSF can be done. The need for such an investigation has also been called for by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts," Nzimande advised. He said it was a "smokescreen" to say Qonde was suspended for "any other reason than for conducting an investigation into this serious matter". Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kaveel Singh at News24
Four ex-Nelson Mandela Bay officials and three others in court for R25.6m fraud and corruption, late former mayor linked to case News24 reports that seven people, comprising four former Nelson Mandela Bay metro employees and three company directors, appeared in the Gqeberha Magistrate's Court on Thursday for allegedly contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, corruption, money laundering, racketeering and fraud. The name of late former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Mongameli Bobani was placed at the centre of the case of alleged theft of more than R25 million from the Eastern Cape municipality in 2015. Bobani, who died of Covid-19 in November, was at the time of the alleged crime serving on the standing committee overseeing the public health directorate, which paid out R25.6 million through an allegedly dodgy tender. It is alleged he received a R2.4 million kickback for playing a key role in the approval of the tender. In a statement on Thursday evening, the National prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the accused and Bobani allegedly formed a criminal enterprise to capture the metro's public health directorate and manipulated its procurement processes. The NPA said the accused allegedly acted with a common purpose to manipulate the processes to ensure that Milongani Eco-Consulting was awarded tenders. A total of 43 payments amounting to just more than R25.6 million were made by the municipality into Milongani’s banking account for the tenders. The case was postponed to 28 January 2022. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malibongwe Dayimani at News24. Lees ook, Voormalige PE amptenare in hof oor ‘skelm’ tender, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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