Today's Labour News

TOP STORY

Tourism furious over state’s inaction in getting SA off UK’s red list and opening gates to visitors

Business Times reports that Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of SA, says President Cyril Ramaphosa needs “urgently” to speak to his opposite number in Downing Street, Boris Johnson, to get to the bottom of why the UK is keeping SA on its red list. He added that the president and prime minister needed to meet with their respective scientific advisers to thrash out the issue of SA’s Beta variant as a matter of urgency. This has been cited as the UK’s chief reason for keeping SA on the red list although the dominant variant in the country is the Delta variant, as it is in the UK. “The red list decision is a disaster for us. It’s going to cost the local industry and the South African economy R181m every week that we remain on the red list,” Tshivhengwa advised The local tourism industry has already lost 470,000 jobs as result of lockdown restrictions and will lose thousands more thanks to the British restrictions. “We could get 100,000 people back at work if we reopened the UK market. It’s a bread-and-butter issue,” Tshivhengwa pointed out. In his view, SA could have done far more to get itself off the list. “We could have had a well-thought-out, better co-ordinated strategy on how we should deal with the issue. We could have been more forceful, we could have communicated better with the world in terms of where we are on the trajectory of the pandemic, which variant is more dominant. We could have made more use of the international media like the BBC and CNN.   We could have been doing much more of that,” Tshivhengwa complained. Underlying the communications failure of “SA Inc” was the continued failure of the government to take tourism seriously as a major contributor to GDP and jobs, he claimed. The government needed “to understand the potential of the industry to create jobs and contribute to the economy, and act as if it understands this,” he pointed out.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chris Barron at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY

Popcru wants more protection for SAPS as it laments increase in cops being killed

News24 reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has expressed concern over the increasing number of police officers being killed, saying it was tired of burying colleagues and attending annual memorial services. The union expressed its concern during a two-day central executive committee (CEC) meeting held on Thursday and Friday under the theme "30 years of Working-Class Consciousness, Defending Workers Rights and Building a Self-Sustainable Union". According to the union, a concrete plan and measures were needed to ensure the men and women in blue were protected. "As it stands, there are high possibilities that a police station is being attacked or an officer is losing their life at the hands of criminal elements daily," the union indicated in a statement on Saturday. Popcru further said there was a need to urgently formulate a "protective and preventative strategy that included an inclusive approach". Besides police killings, the union also raised several other points such as Covid-19 vaccination, collective bargaining and state capture.   According to Popcru, widows of deceased police officers found it hard to survive after losing their partners as the death allowances did not cover their essential needs. The union also lamented the "meagre" danger allowance officers received.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Canny Maphanga at News24

COVID PANDEMIC

As SA country ’exits’ third wave, 967 further Covid-19 cases and 51 new deaths reported on Sunday

Independent Media reports that SA reported 51 Covid-19 related deaths on Sunday, taking the country’s death toll to 87,052. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) also said that 967 new Covid-19 cases had been identified in the country, representing a 5% positivity rate and bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2,896,943. The NICD added that the total number of cases on Sunday had been lower than the day before and lower than the average number of new cases per day over the seven preceding days. Most of the new cases were from KwaZulu-Natal (28%) followed by Eastern Cape at 17%. There were a further 56 hospital admissions in the past 24 hours, the institute reported.   According to the NICD, South Africa is no longer in the third wave: “Nationally we have exited the third wave according to the current definition. The national seven-day moving average of daily case numbers, positivity rate and testing rate continue to decrease, with sustained decreases seen in all provinces.”

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Yasmine Jacobs at Independent Media

Other internet posting(s) in this news category

• Concern as SA administers less than 30,000 vaccines in the past 24 hours, at EWN
• Western Cape health department says it sees a decline in demand for Covid jabs, at EWN

MINING LABOUR

Some 45% of South African mineworkers now fully or partially vaccinated

Mining Weekly reports that the mining industry has vaccinated, or partially vaccinated, 203,007 employees and contractors in SA, which that is about 45% of the workforce. Of that total, 49% have been been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.   The industry has set itself a target of achieving 80% vaccination by the middle of November this year. Some companies have already started reporting between 70% and 80% vaccination levels at some sites, with Minerals Council SA (MCSA) CEO Roger Baxter indicating on Thursday that the goal was “absolutely attainable”. Baxter drew specific attention to the leadership role played by organised labour, which had been critical in advocating for vaccinations among employees and supporting the company-based roll-out programmes. Involved organised labour include the Association of Construction and Mineworkers Union (AMCU), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Solidarity and UASA. “Union leadership has played a highly constructive role, with many union leaders visiting vaccination sites, getting vaccinated, and also sharing their personal experiences of Covid-19 and vaccinations,” Baxter said . To date, 52 workplace sites have been registered under the Department of Health’s workplace vaccination programme, with many more outreach and temporary facilities operating.   Meanwhile, companies have started to vaccinate employees’ dependants and community members, either at company sites or by supporting neighbouring facilities. The industry has lost 690 lives to the Covid-19 pandemic, which gives it a fatality rate of about 1.3%.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly

Mining fatalities remain a concern, says chief inspector of mines

Mining Weekly reports that according to Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) chief inspector of mines, David Msiza, the continued loss of life, injuries and diseases in the SA mining sector remains of great concern, even though there has been an historic improvement.   Speaking during the Coalsafe virtual conference on 22 September, Msiza said that a “step change” was required to prevent harm to mineworkers and to progress towards the goal of zero-harm.   Msiza pointed out that incidents have increasingly been involving materials handling, transport and elevator accidents. Often referred to as miscellaneous accidents, Msiza urged the industry to investigate such accidents so that operators could “understand what caused the loss of life”. Increased vigilance should be undertaken together with medical practitioners and be done in collaboration with the Department of Health. “Health matters should be a priority, because the impact is lasting,” Msiza said, referring to exposure to airborne pollutants and dust, for example, within the mining sector. “What is of great concern is that more than 10% or 12% of mineworkers are overexposed to high levels of gas that might lead to tuberculosis,” Msiza noted, adding that that might put mineworkers at greater risk of becoming infected with Covid-19, among other diseases.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly

'Gun-toting zama zamas' run amok in Slovoville, leaving residents fearing for their lives

News24 reports that residents of Slovoville, a township situated outside Dobsonville, Soweto, have been living in fear because of daily gun battles between rival zama zama (illegal miner) groups.   "They are armed like soldiers.   They operate without fear of the police and residents. They are brazen. They are hoodlums. They shoot to kill,” one resident lamented. Some of the illegal miners apparently reside in old buildings in the township. According to residents, others were scattered in the bushes surrounding Slovoville, "waiting for their prey". "Those men are heavily armed. They carry machine guns similar to those carried by soldiers.   Some carry handguns. For now, I am glad that they have killed no one from our township. They fight among themselves. We have been told that two Basotho groups are killing each other here. They are fighting for gold behind our soil," the resident claimed.   “Since August, our township has been turned into a warzone where dead bodies are being collected weekly," another resident said, adding that the groups had relocated to Slovoville from Westonaria. Recently during a joint operation, police and officers from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department who were searching for a group of illegal miners who had killed two people in the area came under fire from about 20 armed zama zamas. Nobody was injured in the gun battle. Four people were later arrested for murder and attempted murder.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24

Other general posting(s) relating to mining

• SA Diamond Producers Organisation welcomes Mining Charter judgment as key to unlocking investment, at Mining Weekly

UNEMPLOYMENT / JOB CREATION

SA's economy is growing, yet more people are losing their jobs

City Press writes that the economy grew in the second quarter of this year and the SA Reserve Bank forecasts growth of 5.3% for the year, but ever more people are losing their jobs. PwC chief economist Lullu Krugel says two-thirds of job creation is related to the country’s GDP performance, but factors such as uncertainty about the pace of economic recovery, continued load shedding, rumours of tax increases to fund social spending and the slow progress of Covid-19 vaccinations also play a role. This is evident from the 65,000 jobs lost in the second quarter of this year.   A contributing cause was that rolling blackouts implemented by Eskom in the first six months of the year were 13% higher than in the corresponding period last year. Krugel noted: “Although these additional factors have a smaller impact on employment figures than growth, they currently weigh so heavily in South Africa that they prevent companies from employing more people.” According to Professor Raymond Parsons of the North West University Business School, unemployment will remain high for a long time to come because economic growth rates for next year and 2023 are barely above the level of population growth. “South Africa needs growth of 3% per year if we want to make a dip in unemployment,” he pointed out. On Thursday, the SA Reserve Bank adjusted its growth expectation for next year and 2023 downwards to 1.7% (from 2.3%) and 1.8% (from 2.4%), respectively.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Riana De Lange at City Press (subscriber access only)

Other internet posting(s) in this news category

• Opinion by Neil Coetzer: Labour market ripe for a shake-up, at BusinessLive

BASIC EDUCATION / TEACHING

Youth encouraged by education department to apply for 287,000 teacher, general assistant positions

News24 reports that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Sunday announced that it has opened Phase 2 of the Basic Education Employment Initiative programme. Phase 2 of the programme will see 287,000 teachers and general assistants employed.   DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga indicated that candidates would be placed in schools for five months, from 1 November 2021 to 31 March 2022. The application process would run from 27 September and close on 3 October.   According to the department, applicants would need to have passed matric to qualify for consideration.   NQF Level 4, 6 and 7 would be an added advantage, as would trade certificates. The DBE said young people recruited for the phase 2 of the programme could expect to receive training in information technology, sports enrichment and infrastructure maintenance. Phase 1 of the Basic Education Employment Initiative ran from 1 December 2020 until 31 April 2021 and approximately 300,000 young people participated. The department said phase 2 would focus on addressing the youth unemployment and those lacking relevant experience.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sesona Ngqakamba at News24

SUSPENSIONS

Health director-general Sandile Buthelezi suspended over Digital Vibes contract

TimesLIVE reports that Department of Health director-general Sandile Buthelezi has been placed on precautionary suspension over his alleged role in the Digital Vibes tender saga. The same contract led to the suspension, followed by the resignation, of former health minister Zweli Mkhize. Health ministry spokesperson Foster Mohale on Sunday confirmed that Buthelezi has been suspended after a report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into the alleged tender fraud. The report has yet to be released publicly. Buthelezi will face a disciplinary hearing regarding his role in the Digital Vibes matter. Mohale said that while the R150m Digital Vibes communications contract was already in place when Buthelezi assumed the role of director-general in 2019, it was what he potentially failed to do afterwards that resulted in his suspension.   “Like in any organisation, the issue of the accounting authority obviously requires that it be checked whether they were aware or not. So it’s not to say that he has awarded the contract, because it was awarded before he arrived, but he took over and the contract continued even then. When they investigated, they regarded [the DG as head] of the accounting authority so if they found that it was unlawful, they have questioned what did he do about it,” said Mohale. It was not immediately clear whether the suspension had resulted in Buthelezi’s salary being withheld.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Naledi Shange at TimesLIVE

MISCONDUCT / DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Three senior Gauteng education department officials face charges over R431m school decontamination tenders

News24 reports that the Gauteng Department of Education has laid charges against three senior managers over R431 million spent on the decontamination of schools last year. This comes as the department implements recommendations received from the Special Investigating Unit's (SIU) report into the monies spent on decontaminating schools. According to department spokesperson Steve Mabona, the officials were served with the charges last Wednesday. The R431 million was reportedly for decontamination, disinfecting, deep cleaning and sanitisation of schools and offices. "Following the referral by the SIU and the analysis of the evidence, it has been recommended that the Head of Supply Chain, Chief Director for Infrastructure Development and Acting Director for Auxiliary Services be charged in accordance to the findings in the investigation report," Mabona said. An experienced advocate has been appointed to preside over the matter and hearings are set to begin from 5 October 2021. The department said it could not rule out the possibility of charging other people as investigations continued.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sesona Ngqakamba at News24

Probe concluded into white North West officials accused of withholding Covid-19 vaccine from black residents

News24 reports that an investigation report into the conduct of three white North West health department officials accused of withholding Covid-19 vaccine jabs from black residents will determine what action will be taken against them. On Thursday, North West health department spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said investigations had been completed into the conduct of the sub-district manager, nursing manager and a nurse at the Delareyville Community Health Centre.   "We are just waiting for the investigation report. We will also need to hear when the disciplinary hearing against them will be [held]," Lekgethwane said. The three have been accused of refusing to provide the Covid-19 vaccine to black people. Instead, they allegedly reserved the vaccines for their friends and family.   The department suspended the three in August following complaints from Delareyville residents. Lekgethwane indicated that the investigation report would be available "in a week or two".

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tebogo Monama at News24

Popcru alarmed by report of Cape Town lawyer allegedly carrying drugs for his client

News24 reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) Popcru has expressed concern over a report that a 39-year-old lawyer was arrested last week in Bellville, Cape Town, for allegedly being in possession of drugs intended for a client in custody. According to police, the lawyer was arrested with a stash of mandrax and tik after appearing to be drunk in court. Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo reacted as follows: "It is a problem that the same people, who are supposed to uphold the law, are going against it. It is unacceptable." He went on to point out that prison was supposed to be about the rehabilitation of offenders, but the dearth of proper work skills programmes and understaffing left inmates idle as they dealt with the stress of being behind bars.   This could lead to drug abuse.   William Booth, chairperson of the Law Society of SA's criminal complaints committee, indicated that if the person arrested was indeed a lawyer, he faced criminal prosecution and being disbarred. The Legal Practice Council said it had no more information other than news reports about the Bellville incident.   "We are currently also trying to identify the legal practitioner involved.   Once we have established his identity, we will initiate an investigation into his conduct," said spokesperson Sthembiso Mnisi.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jenni Evans at News24

CORRUPTION

Police corruption tops complaints received by Corruption Watch in first half of 2021

SowetanLive reports that according to Corruption Watch (CW), police corruption topped the list of complaints received from the public and private institutions in the first half of this year. CW released its analysis of corruption trends on Thursday. According to the report, the most complaints it received were against the policing sector (12% of complaints), while 8% of complaints were attributed to procurement and maladministration related to the novel coronavirus pandemic, including mismanagement of funds such as the temporary employment relief scheme intended to provide support. “Police corruption continued to dominate, topping the reports at 12%. Since 2019, Corruption Watch reports have highlighted what appears to be an unabated corruption problem in the policing sector, worsened by the powers invested in the police while lockdown regulations are in force,” the report indicated.   Complaints ranged from extortion and abuse of authority by the police, school principals extorting sexual favours from temporary teachers to safeguard their jobs, and Covid-19 related graft, highlighting the collusion between the public and private sectors. Melusi Ncala, researcher at the organisation commented: “When reading the individual accounts of corruption in this report, it is quite evident that the more things change the more they stay the same. Communities are vulnerable because police officers care more about securing dodgy deals with criminal networks. Learners in schools and patients in health facilities are at the mercy of self-serving and abusive officials.”

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tankiso Makhetha at SowetanLive