In our roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 27 August 2021.
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Mabuza says public sector wage bill cuts will make it difficult for state to absorb youth enrolled in YES programmes News24 reports that Deputy President David Mabuza told MPs last week that government's efforts at reducing the public service wage bill would make it challenging for the state to absorb large numbers of young South Africans who were enrolled in the government’s Youth Employment Stimulus (YES) and other programmes. In the same week, Statistics SA announced that unemployment had climbed to a record high of 34.4% in the second quarter of 2021. Concurrently, sovereign credit rating agencies and other international observers warned that the ballooning of the public service wage bill was a significant fiscal threat to the SA economy. YES has 11 programmes administered by different government departments. "We have recognised that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on our ability to create jobs, particularly the youth. Since the advent of the pandemic, the portion of the youth that comprises the work force has fallen significantly," said Mabuza. He went on to indicate that government needed to strike a balance between keeping wages in check by stabilising the public service wage bill and improving the standard of service delivery where it was being hampered. "We need to reprioritise and rework our operational design so that we employ more people where service delivery is not up to scratch… As much as we recognise that, we cannot absorb all of the young people that are out there,” Mabuza stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at News24 ANC’s Paul Mashatile says infrastructure spend is key to SA jobs drive Bloomberg reports that Paul Mashatile, secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC), last week urged the government to accelerate spending on infrastructure to create jobs, while at the same time cautioning against raising taxes to fund additional welfare benefits. “We have a lot of infrastructure that needs to be fixed, the rail lines, some provinces’ dams, road and bridges. That is where jobs are going to come from,” Mashatile opined. His comments came amid an ongoing debate in SA on how best to revive the coronavirus-battered economy, reduce a 34.4% unemployment rate and tackle rampant poverty and inequality. A recovery plan unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa in October last year envisioned the government allocating R100 billion for new infrastructure within four years, thereby envisaged to galvanize a further R1 trillion of private investment. Mashatile said the implementation of the plan had to be accelerated, and he indicated that newly appointed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana would make that a top priority. Commenting on a Department of Social Development proposal that companies and workers be compelled to contribute as much as 12% of their earnings to a state fund that could provide unemployment, retirement and disability benefits, Mashatile said: “We do need social relief for the poorest of the poor, but we also need a funding mechanism that is sustainable that will not exhaust those who are already contributing. We will be cautious looking at that. It may not be something we do immediately.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by S'thembile Cele at Moneyweb Treasury warns of further belt tightening after public sector wage deal compounds its woes Business Report writes that the government will be tightening its belt further this financial year, with downward risks to the fiscus having materialised after it lost a bruising battle with labour unions over wage increases. Last week, the National Treasury confirmed to Parliament that the recently signed wage agreement with 1.2 million public servants would cost the fiscus R20 billion in the 2021/22 fiscal year. Treasury director-general Dondo Mogajane said the wage agreement would have an impact on the fiscus, because it was over and above the compensation ceilings that had been tabled in February. The government's wage bill accounts for about a third of consolidated spending. “The risks have finally materialised now. It's not ideal to not give inflation-linked increases, but the reality is that we have come to that conclusion exactly because of this,” Mogajane said. He indicated that options and recommendations would be discussed by the ministers' committee on the budget and the Cabinet. After months of deadlocked negotiations, the government and public sector workers last month struck a one-year deal for a 1.5% salary increase, plus a cash payment. Workers' unions had been pushing for above-inflation increments, while the government wanted to freeze salary increases for the next three years to keep the budget deficit in check. Treasury's presentation showed that the main budget deficit was worse than expected by R183.9bn. Mogajane said they would continue on a path of fiscal consolidation while providing continued support to the economy and public health services in the short term. But Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla commented: “The source of the macroeconomic quagmire is stagnation and not debt. Therefore, rather than choking the economy with austerity measures, the government needs to implement policies that support economic growth.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphelele Dludla at Business Report. Read too, Government dragged to court to honour its word, on page 5 of Sunday Independent of 29 August 2021 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Scammers rip-off desperate job-seekers seeking Correctional Services jobs ANA reports that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has warned members of the public about scams taking place in different parts of SA whereby community members are being swindled out of their money in exchange for fictitious jobs. Spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo indicated: “Vulnerable citizens are enticed with appointment letters provided they make a transaction as a guarantee factor in securing permanent employment in DCS. This is a scam filtered with all elements of thuggery.” He went on to state: “Correctional Services is on record as having stated that there is no requirement for people to pay money when applying for employment in the public service. Employment opportunities are only advertised in the mainstream media and via departmental website.” He advised that the DCS had no contract with recruitment or placement agents, and it did not recruit via social media platforms. “In as much as harsh realities of unemployment may leave citizens vulnerable, we urge people not to fall prey to these scammers. Those posing as consultants or using online media platforms are fraudsters who must be reported to law enforcement agencies,” said Nxumalo. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at Independent Media
KwaZulu-Natal health MEC sanctioned after flouting Covid-19 regulations at birthday party News24 reports that KwaZulu-Natal's (KZN’s) Health MEC will have to issue a public apology after she and her guests were seen neglecting Covid-19 protocols during her surprise party on Sunday, 22 August. In addition, half of her salary will be docked and paid to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) involved in the fight against Covid-19. On Saturday, KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala gave his decision following consideration of a report on the incident from Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane. Zikalala noted that it was clear from a video and photographs that Simelabe and the guests at the party had not worn face masks while dancing and had not been practiced social distancing. The MEC has also received a warning from the premier. He indicated that Simelane had shown a high level of contrition, which had been a mitigation in the sanctions imposed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Mthethwa at News24. Read too, Zikalala docks 50% of KZN health MEC's salary for flouting Covid restrictions, at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
After assassination of Gauteng health official, SIU seeks to protect corruption witnesses News24 reports that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) indicated in a statement Friday that it was concerned about the safety of whistle-blowers and witnesses and had put measures in place to ensure their safety. It was also considering further protection for its investigators. Its statement was prompted by public concern about witness protection after the murder of Gauteng department of health chief director of financial accounting, Babita Deokaran, who had given evidence about the corruption involving personal protective equipment (PPE) in the province. Seven suspects have been arrested in relation to the murder. Deokaran was one of the more than 320 witnesses in the ongoing investigation into PPE tender corruption and procurement irregularities in both the public and private sector. Yet, the statement added: “The SIU cannot, at this stage, link or associate the murder of Ms Doekaran with the ongoing PPE investigations. The SIU will allow the SAPS to get to the bottom of this.” The statement went on to indicate: “The murder of Ms Deokaran will not affect or compromise the ongoing PPE investigation in the Gauteng department of health. The SIU is committed to finalising all PPE tender corruption investigations, hold those responsible for procurement irregularities and corruption to account, and to recover any financial losses suffered by the state.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by BusinessLive Joburg bookkeeper who allegedly scammed UIF out of R11.1m in Covid-19 Ters grants due in court on Tuesday Fin24 reports that an unnamed Johannesburg bookkeeper is the latest suspect to have been nabbed by police for fraud relating to the Unemployment Insurance Fund's (UIF’s) Covid-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Ters). The bookkeeper allegedly fleeced the fund of R11.1 million after submitting claims for four clients without their knowledge. The money due to the clients was paid into the bookkeeper's business accounts instead of into the clients’ accounts. "The intended clients realised something was not fine after they were harangued by their employees for not paying them Ters monies they had claimed, and at this point, they reported the matter to the police,” the Department of Employment and Labour’s statement on the matter indicated. The police reportedly seized the bookkeeper's Audi Q2 as it was suspected to have been bought with the stolen money. The alleged fraudster is scheduled to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg on 31 August. The UIF's "follow-the-money" initiative has led to the arrest of at least 17 other suspects and the recovery of around R827 million. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Londiwe Buthelezi at Fin24
Minister Cele visits family in Tembisa of yet another slain cop News24 reports that the police are mourning the loss of yet another officer after Tembisa-based police officer Sharon Mogale was gunned down last week. Mogale and her partner, Sergeant Mapule Petje, were attacked and disarmed of their service pistols inside a retail shop in Tembisa. The robbers shot Mogale in the head before fleeing the scene. Petje was not injured during the attack. Police Minister Bheki Cele Cele visited the home of Mogale’s family on Friday and raised concerns over the relentless attacks on women in the country. "We are pained that the attack on the two female officers came at a time when the country is meant to celebrate women. Instead, we are seeing women from all walks of life being brutally harmed in the worst ways by men," Cele stated. Meanwhile, he welcomed the arrest of a 31-year-old suspect in the Free State for allegedly killing Constable Madikotsi Mota Malinga, who was strangled to death on 21 August after sending distress calls to her colleagues that her boyfriend was assaulting her. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24
NUM to march to Luthuli House over claim that black people being overlooked for senior positions at Eskom Independent Media reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is planning to march to the ANC’s Luthuli House headquarters over claims that black people are being overlooked for senior positions at Eskom. The mineworkers’ union is also calling on the government to stop the unbundling of Eskom, on the basis that it is “a precursor to privatisation”. A date for the march to Luthuli House to hand over a memorandum has yet to be determined. The union said it would also push for an urgent meeting with Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Eskom matters. According to the NUM’s acting general secretary William Mabapa, the vertically integrated structure of Eskom was still relevant. Regarding Eskom wage increases, Mabapa stated: “On the Eskom implementation of the 1.5% and unilateral change in conditions of employment, the NUM views this as a declaration of war towards our members. This unilateral implementation of changes in conditions of service, is not only unlawful, but also provocative. The NUM believes that the arbitration, which is taking place on the weeks of the 18th and 25th October 2021, will hold positive results in favour of our members.” He also alleged that Eskom was in the process of attacking the union’s leaders in that leaders at the regional and national levels were being unnecessarily suspended and charged. “We have also witnessed black leaders being replaced by white leaders in Eskom. Some black leaders are suspended without any charges. We call on the ANC government to intervene and fix the leadership crisis in Eskom.” Mabapa stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Baldwin Ndaba at Independent Media
Minister Motshekga confirms that October school holidays won’t be scrapped' TimesLIVE reports that Department of Basic Education (DBE) Minister Angie Motshekga confirmed during a media briefing on Sunday that, after a meeting with the nine MECs of education on Friday, it was decided that the October holidays would not be used to “to claw back lost time”. This was after the July holidays were extended by a week after a spike in Covid-19 infections. The DBE’s initial proposal to do away with the holidays scheduled from 4 to 8 October was slammed by teacher unions, governing body associations and a principals’ association. The five teacher unions wrote to Motshekga earlier this month to express disappointment about not being consulted on her department’s “decision” to scrap the holidays. Motshekga said on Sunday that when the week was lost in July, they made a commitment that “we would claw back the time by looking at other measures and one of the measures was that we don’t have the October holidays”. She went on to indicate: “But after consultations, it was quite clear and for very valid reasons that we have to keep the calendar as it stands. We wish to really say we had to finally agree and concede as MECs that we should keep the calendar as it stands which means we won’t be using the October holidays to claw back time… If parents had plans for the October holidays, they should continue with those plans.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at TimesLIVE. Read too, October school holidays won't be scrapped, despite loss of more than half of learning time last year, says Motshekga, at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
With monthly costs running into millions, government managing to cut down on employees on suspension Independent Media reports that with costs running into millions of rands every month, the government is cutting down on employees on suspension. According to former Minister of Public Service and Administration, Senzo Mchunu, the costs were coming down as the backlog of disciplinary cases was being reduced. Opposition parties have complained about the number of officials being paid while their disciplinary cases drag on for months and sometimes years. To deal with this problem, the government established a unit to deal with disciplinary cases and reduce the backlog. Mchunu reported: “The unit adopted a project in (the third quarter) of 2020/2021 to assist those departments with long outstanding precautionary suspensions to address their backlogs and, as a result, the costs for precautionary suspensions. Due to the project, by end of March 2021, provinces finalised 78% of their precautionary backlogs (Q1: 1%, Q2: 8%, Q 3: 18%, Q4: 78%). The cost for precautionary suspensions was reduced, with the cost for national departments stabilising around R20 million per quarter and the cost for provinces decreasing from the first quarter to the last quarter with almost R25 million (Q1: R87 million compared to Q4: R62 million).” The unit specifically focused on the two provinces with the highest costs pertaining to precautionary suspensions, namely Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Mchunu reported that the Free State managed to reduce its cost from R12 million in Q3 to R6 million in Q4, while KZN reduced its cost from a high of R92 million in Q3 to R21 million in Q4. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Mkhwanazi at Independent Media
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