In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
|
Discovery estimates that 80% of South Africans may have had Covid-19 Bloomberg reports that according to the chief actuary at Discovery, as many as four out of five South Africans may have contracted the coronavirus, indicating that the country may be one of the world’s hardest-hit nations by the disease. Emile Stipp based his calculations on the country’s case-fatality rate and excess deaths, a measure of the number of fatalities compared with an historical average. They are thought to provide a more accurate picture of the impact of the pandemic than the official toll. The infection rate of between 70% and 80%, as estimated by Stipp, is high by global standards and could push SA close to so-called herd immunity, estimated at between 80% and 90% by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Still, it’s possible that the delta variant of the virus could reinfect those who contracted other strains. Stipp based his assessment on the assumption that 90% of excess deaths reported by the SA Medical Research Council (SAMRC) were due to Covid-19. SAMRC estimates SA’s excess death number at 229,850 during the pandemic, compared with an official Covid-19 death toll of 77,993. The country’s case fatality rate is 3%. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Antony Sguazzin at Fin24 UCT analysis shows Covid-19 impacting informal, lower paying jobs the most Engineering News reports that using data from the National Income Dynamic Study’s Coronavirus rapid mobile surveys (NIDS-CRAM), the University of Cape Town (UCT) Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing has examined the impact on jobs and income across the economic spectrum. The study found that perhaps the biggest impact has been felt by those in poorly paid jobs. By March this year, there were nearly 1.15-million fewer people earning from jobs paying under R3,500 a month. These figures suggested that the informal sector has been particularly badly hit by the pandemic, said UCT Liberty Institute of Strategic Marketing head of projects Dr James Lappeman. "It is very clear that those South Africans who were in already poorly paid jobs, particularly those working in the informal sector, have been hardest hit,” he pointed out. The data also indicated that middle-class and high-earning South Africans were coming under relative financial strain. Not only are there fewer South Africans earning higher salaries than pre-lockdown, but the average salary for those earning over R40,000 a month has fallen. “The key point is that the situation is fluid and, therefore, constantly changing. The figures also suggest that, although the economic pain is being felt across the board, it is the most vulnerable South Africans whose welfare is of huge concern,” Lappeman stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News Unvaccinated Curro teachers could face retrenchment Fin24 reports private education provider Curro will require all staff to be vaccinated by the end of the year. Curro CEO Andries Greyling indicated on Wednesday: "The department of education sent out a formal communication that they are moving towards making it mandatory for employees to be vaccinated. So, based on that, and as a responsible employer, one has to do a risk assessment to determine where the product you offer fits in. […] On Tuesday our board decided that vaccination will be mandatory. The process will start now of consulting with staff who are not vaccinated." He added that teachers had the opportunity to be vaccinated during July and the bulk did so. Greyling went on to say: "Now we will consult with those who did not get vaccinated. If they're not willing to accept that the Covid-19 vaccination is now mandatory to create a safe teaching and learning space, then as an employer we are allowed to consider our options, which may include retrenchments. We will continue to ensure that the rights of individuals are respected at all times but there is no beating about the bush when it comes to the safety of our staff, learners and parents. Teachers work with children and we have to make sure we offer a safe environment." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carin Smith at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Cape Town worker drowned on Tuesday after falling into the water at cruise liner terminal News24 reports that a Cape Town man drowned on Tuesday at the Port of Table Bay after he fell into the water while working. NSRI Table Bay duty controller Paula Leech reported: "At 22:00 on Tuesday, NSRI Table Bay duty crew and the City of Cape Town water rescue network were activated following reports of a drowning in progress in the Port of Table Bay, E Berth, at the Cruise Liner Passenger Terminal." On arrival at the scene, rescue swimmers entered the water and found the man face down in the water. He showed no signs of life and, although attended to by paramedics, was declared deceased. The man, aged 38 and believed to be from Ravensmead, was working at E Berth at the time. It is unclear what caused him to fall into the water. Police have opened an inquest docket. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Some 22% of employees of members of Minerals Council vaccinated thus far Mining Weekly reports that as of 17 August, Minerals Council SA (MCSA) member companies had given Covid-19 vaccinations to 105,927 of their employees, representing around 22% of mining employees and contractors. This figure includes 946 healthcare workers vaccinated under the Sisonke programme, but excludes many employees who have been vaccinated at private and public health facilities prior to the opening of workplace vaccination sites. Currently, there are 45 mine-based vaccination sites that are operational, with a further 14 sites for which accreditation is still pending. The industry has set a target of getting 80% of employees and contractors vaccinated, if sufficient doses of the vaccine are made available to the industry. One of the council’s smaller member companies has already reported an 83% vaccination uptake, with some of the larger companies heading towards 50%. The MCSA (previously called the Chamber of Mines) also welcomed the recent announcement by the Department of Health that workplace sites could now vaccinate employee dependants and community members who were 35 years and older. Companies are currently looking at how to implement this outreach programme, either on mine sites or at nearby facilities. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Amcu rejects Sibanye-Stillwater’s R250 wage increase offer The Star reports that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) has criticised a proposed wage increase at Sibanye-Stillwater in the gold wage talks, describing it as even less than the government’s grant to the unemployed affected by Covid-19. Apparently, mining unions are this year negotiating with individual gold mining producers because of the impact of Covid-19 on companies. Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said the union would approach this year’s wage negotiations in the spirit of honouring the fallen Marikana miners who were killed by police in a labour dispute in 2012. “The R250 proposed by Sibanye in the gold sector negotiations, which is less than the R350 grant given by the government, is rejected in honour of our fallen comrades,” Mathunjwa stated. He went on to say that he was concerned by the greed in the mining industry and the lack of care for workers who toiled hard to extract minerals from under the ground. “South Africa, I beseech you today, you are a rich country. Capitalism is characterised by the mass accumulation by the elite and politically connected. Mining communities remain poor, yet they have precious commodities around them,” Mathunjwa said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Itumeleng Mafisa at The Star Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman defends Ramaphosa over Marikana BL Premium reports that Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman has come out in defence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has been threatened with legal action from mineworkers over his role in the Marikana massacre. As Sibanye hosted a memorial lecture on Tuesday to mark the ninth anniversary of the tragedy that took the lives of 44 people, Froneman said it would be “completely improper to persecute our president over the Lonmin disaster”. Froneman’s comments followed the announcement by the legal representative of the injured and arrested mineworkers, advocate Dali Mpofu, on Monday that mineworkers had set aside a combined R1m from their compensation money for a lawsuit. Mpofu said they have approached the North West High Court to compel Ramaphosa and Sibanye to make an undertaking to apologise for the incident and to ensure that the incident was not repeated. At the time of the massacre in August 2012, then deputy president Ramaphosa was a non-executive director of Lonmin, with his former company, Shanduka, a minority shareholder. He exited Shanduka in November 2014 and Lonmin was sold to Sibanye in 2019. In 2017, Ramaphosa apologised for his role in the massacre saying the language he used in e-mails to the Lonmin directors, in which he called for concomitant action against those involved in the strike, was “unfortunate” and “not appropriate”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (paywall access only) Mantashe expresses regret, as state participates in Marikana commemoration event for first time in nine years Business Report writes that on Tuesday the government participated in the Marikana commemoration for the first time after nine years, as conceded by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe. Speaking during the second annual Marikana Massacre lecture held virtually, Mantashe said it was regrettable that the government officially participated in the commemoration of the tragic event for the first time after nine years. “To us, this commemorative occasion is a double-edged sword; first, it reminds us of an unfortunate and regrettable event in our past which must never repeat itself, and second, it implores us to strive for the higher ideals amplified by the text and spirit of our transformative constitution,” Mantashe said. A total of 34 mine workers were killed in a police shootout on 16 August 2012, and more than 70 others were injured amid an unprotected strike for higher wages at a koppie near Sibanye-Stillwater’s Marikana mine, which was previously owned by Lonmin. Days before the shootout 10 people including mine workers, two police officers, and two security guards were killed brutally. Mantashe said in a bid to level the playing field, the government implemented the 2018 Mining Charter which ensured that communities and workers “do not only participate in the exploitation of mineral resources as purveyors of cheap labour, but also as equity owners”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dineo Faku at Business Report Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Consumer inflation eased in July to 4.6% despite sharp jump in electricity tariffs BL Premium reports that consumer inflation eased in July as flat food prices and slower fuel price increases outweighed pressure from a sharp jump in electricity tariffs. Though the price of petrol rose again in August and the effect of the recent unrest coulf add a further “upward bias” to inflation, these factors are not expected to force the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) to raise interest rates in the near future. This is in line with a recent indication from SARB governor Lesetja Kganyago that the Bank was not anxious about inflation breaching its target range of between 3% and 6%. Data from Stats SA on Wednesday showed that in July consumer price inflation (CPI) eased to 4.6% year on year from June’s 4.9%. Food and nonalcoholic beverage price increases stayed steady at 6.7%, in line with June’s figure. Fuel prices increased 15.2% year on year. However, this was a sharp decline from June’s rate of 27.5%. Despite concerns around food, fuel and electricity prices, “underlying inflation remains well contained”, said Stanlib chief economist Kevin Lings. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lynley Donnelly at BusinessLive (paywall access only). Read too, Slowing SA inflation may put off start of rate hikes, at Moneyweb. And also, Inflation slows to lowest rate in months, may put off start of rate hikes, at Fin24 Solidarity says consumer price data show state must reduce fuel tax Following the release on Wednesday of July consumer price index (CPI) data, trade union Solidarity spoke out against the high tax rate levied on fuel. The data from Statistics SA indicated that fuel and food were the items with the highest price rises. Both fuel and food were higher than the headline CPI rate of 4.6%, with fuel “becoming alarmingly more expensive with a rate of 15.2%, completely strangling consumers”. According to Solidarity, the high fuel price is one of very few figures that could be directly influenced by the state. It pointed out that not only would the fuel price be affected by reducing the fuel levy, but also other prices such as food prices, because it would be significantly cheaper to supply products to consumers. “People must travel, and people must eat. To incur these costs is unavoidable. Almost all products and services are also dependent on transportation. The effect of the fuel price thus has a larger impact and is thus more important than the direct impact thereof on the consumer. The increase of this leads to the economy shrinking and consumers becoming poorer in reality,” said Theuns du Buisson, economic researcher at the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI). In his view, the total tax of R6,26 on fuel was much too high and it could be adjusted downwards to provide immediate relief and promote economic growth. Noting that the total tax on a litre of petrol had been R2,61 in 2011, Du Buisson argued that the current rate was “completely insane” and that the government must intervene to take the necessary steps to alleviate the country’s burden. Read Solidarity’s press statement on the above at Solidarity News
Solidarity threatens legal action against basic education department if October school holiday is cancelled On Wednesday, Solidarity indicated that its legal team was investigating the possibility of litigation against the Department of Basic Education (DBE) following the department’s announcement that the October school holidays for 2021 could be scrapped. In a letter to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, the trade union said it was opposed to such an amendment to the school calendar. According to Solidarity, the intentions of the department were irrational, and implementing such an amendment would be unfair and contrary to the national policy regarding the compilation of school calendars. It pointed out that it was the duty of the Minister and the DBE to communicate with stakeholders before any decisions were made. Johan Botha, deputy general secretary of the Professional Sector at Solidarity, commented: “The department’s action can be described as nothing but exploitation. Teachers are expected to be on duty for 21 consecutive weeks with only a short break in the form of an extended long weekend as consolation prize. However, this is not consistent with the regulations. This action will negatively impact the performance of teachers and learners alike during the fourth term.” According to Botha, learners and teachers would benefit if the department rather adjusted the date for the submission of final marks so that the last two weeks of school on the calendar could be fully utilised by schools that needed time to catch up. Read Solidarity’s press statement in the above regard and access the letter sent to the DBE at Solidarity News. Lees ook, Departement sê ‘binnekort’ oor skoolvakansie, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Move of Clover cheese factory to KZN gathers steam as North West government failed to act SowetanLive reports that the North West government has failed in two months to convince one of the province’s biggest employers and largest cheese factory to halt its planned relocation from a town paralysed by poor service delivery and factional battles for power. Production departments at the cheese factory in Lichtenburg are now being down-scaled, shut and relocated from the North West, with the fourth department set to relocate in just two weeks. The plant employs a total of 300 people, and 266 are directly affected by the relocation. In June, Clover announced its plans to move its cheese factory to Queensburgh, near Durban, after poor road infrastructure and regular water and power outages made operations in Lichtenburg under the troubled Ditsobotla municipality very difficult. Clover said at the time that the surrounding infrastructure had not been maintained by the municipality. Clover, speaking for the first time since making the relocation announcement, said on Tuesday that it remained remains firm in its decision and the process was already underway. “Clover management has engaged various government officials in this regard and is open to engage the North West government. A formal request has not yet been received at head office, however Clover has e-mailed the North West government to offer a meeting and is awaiting a response,” Clover said in response to Sowetan's inquiry. It went on to say: “Clover is actively engaging with the affected employees to explore various options aimed at mitigating the effects of the move and remains committed to acting in the best interest of its collective stakeholders.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Issac Mahlangu at SowetanLive
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page