This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
In our roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 15 October 2021.
|
Ramaphosa’s presidential employment stimulus programme moves to second phase BL Premium reports that the government has announced a second phase to the presidential employment stimulus programme, which over the past year has provided employment in socially useful activities for almost 400,000 people, mostly youth, as well as vouchers for subsistence farmers and livelihood support for another 150,000 in other sectors. More than 500,000 people benefited from the programme, which had a budget of R12.8bn and massively expanded public employment as a response to the unemployment crisis. The flagship programme saw the employment of 320,000 young people as teacher assistants in most of the 22,000 schools across the country that opted into the programme. The second phase aims to reach 570,000 people and has introduced some new programmes. Minister in the presidency Mondli Gungubele said that while employment recovery must ultimately be driven by growth in the private sector, which the government hoped to assist with structural reforms, in the short term public employment could provide income for the unemployed while increasing their employability. The programme is co-ordinated by the presidency’s project management office. The budget is R11bn and the biggest programme will again be the school assistant programme, which restarts in November and for which 900,000 people have already applied. A new addition is a social employment fund, to be managed by the Industrial Development Corporation, which will enable NGOs to employ additional people in work for the “common good”. This could include making community spaces, community safety, urban food gardens and drama, art and sport. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carol Paton at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Phase two of presidential employment stimulus gets R11bn boost, at Mail & Guardian
Embattled steel sector loses R500m in output due to Numsa wage strike BL Premium reports that as the indefinite wage strike by steelworkers entered its eighth day on Friday and workers rejected a revised offer, employers said the action had "eroded" growth in an industry that was struggling to recover from Covid-19 lockdowns and a weak economy. The action by members of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has cost the R15bn metals and engineering sector about R500m in lost output, according to the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa), which represents 18 organisations employing 170,000 workers. The steel sector employs about 190,000 people and is a mainstay of the manufacturing sector, which contributes between 10% and 13% to GDP. On Thursday, Seifsa CEO Lucio Trentini said the revised offer of 6%, from a previous 4.4%, would have seen artisans receiving increases averaging R4.45 per hour over a three-year term. General labourers would have received increases of between R2.97 and R3.34 per hour. "For a general labourer the total cost to company moves to a minimum of R12,734 per month," Trentini pointed out. He went on to comment: “We are at a crossroads and the lines in the sand have been drawn. The longer the posturing and refusal to close continues, the more jobs will eventually be lost in an industry which should be doing everything possible to protect each and every job." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Seifsa says its 6% wage increase offer is final GroundUp reports that according to the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa), the wage increase offer made the week before last to striking National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) members in the metals and engineering sector was its final, closing offer. “The proposed increase is 5% across the board for artisans and 6% for general labourers. We have nothing more to add to the offer we’ve made to Numsa. We are confident that this offer is fair, equitable and sustainable,” said Lucio Trentini, Seifsa’s chief executive officer, during a press briefing on Friday. The offer was rejected by Numsa members on Thursday. Irvin Jim, Numsa’s general secretary, said that while members were prepared to settle on 6%, it was the union’s demand that the increase be calculated on what businesses actually paid workers and not on the minimum rates as set by the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) Main Agreement, currently at R49.55 per hour. But Trentini said the industry could not afford to pay wage increases that were calculated on actual rates of pay. He stated that many companies were struggling just to survive in the current economic climate. Elias Monage, chair of the Seifsa board, argued that wage increases on actual rates of pay would also make it difficult to extend the wage agreement to employers who were not affiliated with employer associations and employers who paid workers above the industry minimum rate. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Masego Mafata at GroundUp
NSRI rescues vessel with 10 crew on board off Kalk Bay TimesLIVE reports that the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has had a busy few days, rescuing vessels in distress and assisting people reach the shore. On Sunday morning, the NSRI rescued a fishing vessel which reported steering failure and limited emergency steering capabilities one nautical mile off the Kalk Bay Harbour. NSRI's Simon’s Town station commander Darren Zimmerman said the duty crew were activated at 10:41am following a request for assistance from a local 12 metre fishing vessel, with 10 crew on-board. They found the crew safe and a towline was established. The vessel was towed to Kalk Bay Harbour. In another incident in Witbank on Saturday, the NSRI crew assisted with rescuing a sinking power boat off the Witbank Dam. Also on Saturday but at Vaal Dam, the NSRI rescued eight passengers whose boat washed up on the shore line close to the dam wall in rough winds and waves. In Gqeberha on Thursday, the NSRI crew evacuated an injured Russian crewman from a vessel close to Coega. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE
Since beginning of lockdown last year, UIF has paid out R63bn to workers In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) reported that since the start of the Covid lockdown last year, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has disbursed R63 billion, bringing relief to about 5.4 million workers. It has been 17 months since the Covid-19 Temporary Employer / Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) was introduced to save jobs and ease the financial burden on businesses, and most importantly, their vulnerable workers who lost income during the lockdown. The money paid out was the largest sum that has been paid by government to help workers, businesses and the economy mitigate the impact of the lockdowns. “Considering the fact that the initial budget was R40 billion, which has now been exceeded by R23 billion, is a remarkable feat by all standards. While we celebrate the positive impact of Covid-19 Ters to employers and employees, many pay outs are still outstanding largely due to employers who were none-compliant prior to submitting claims for their workers. In some cases, the delays are as a result of ‘errors’ committed by employers in the process of lodging applications,” the department noted. The DEL also commended 404 employers, who heeded the recent call to fix errors, which resulted in the payment of R9,633,516 to 10,181 employees. The bulk of errors related to incorrect banking details; incorrect ID or passport numbers; no declarations found; applications for deceased, underage, incarcerated, and government employees; and incorrect salary received during lockdown. But the DEL said it was concerned over grievances that employers did not pay over the money to their workers. Read the DEL’s statement in full at SA Govt News
After last week’s hostage drama, Modise to investigate military veterans’ budget BL Premium reports that Defence Minister Thandi Modise has launched an investigation into spending by the Department of Military Veterans, which has a budget of R654m this year. This comes after Modise, her deputy Thabang Makwetla and Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele were held hostage for almost three hours at the St George’s Hotel in Pretoria last week. They were there to meet liberation war veterans and to hear complaints ranging from lack of decent housing to the government’s failure to provide for the veterans’ children. Meanwhile, it was reported on Sunday that some of those arrested were public servants with full medical and housing benefits. Of the 56 people arrested, police confirmed that three had been released and 53 would appear in court on Monday. A police spokesperson confirmed that the oldest of the accused was 67. “Those arrested will face at least three counts of kidnapping,” Natjoints spokesperson Brig Vish Naidoo said. The ANC’s disbanded Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) has confirmed that some of its members were part of the meeting. In a statement issued through its spokesperson Carl Niehaus, the MKMVA lambasted the government for what it described as a total overreaction when the police special task force “used excessive force to resolve a non-existent hostage, and nonviolent, situation”. In response to questions, Modise reflected on the situation as follows: “We are proud to engage and sit among our communities. We did not feel our lives are in danger. We were unhappy that we were not allowed to leave.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hajra Omarjee at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, MK Vets say government overreacted to ‘hostage situation’, at BusinessLive. And also, Mounting calls for the release of military vets arrested after hostage drama, at EWN Disbanded MKMVA wants release of 56 vets accused of holding two ministers and a deputy hostage News24 reports that the disbanded Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) has called on government to release the 56 people arrested for allegedly holding two ministers and a deputy hostage on Thursday evening. In a statement, the MKMVA said it was deeply concerned about the events that unfolded at the St George's Hotel in Pretoria where Minister of Defence Thandi Modise, her deputy Thabang Makwetla and Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele were allegedly held hostage for close to three hours. The group met with government to demand millions in reparations for their role in the anti-apartheid struggle. It included MKMVA members, former members of the Pan Africanist Congress' Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) and Azapo's Azanian National Liberation Army (Azanla). Carl Niehaus, the former MKMVA spokesperson, in part blamed the disbanding of structures, including the MKMVA and the SA Military Veterans Association, and government's failure to address their concerns, for the incident. "As a consequence, military veterans are feeling despondent and leaderless. This created a dangerous vacuum," Niehaus argued. He went on to say: "MKMVA warned in several statements about the dangers of these developments. Our genuinely held concerns are now confirmed by what happened. Our government is reaping the bitter fruits of what they have sowed." The MKMVA called on the government to release the 56 people and to engage with the military veterans instead of being overly defensive and aggressive. The suspects are expected to appear in court on Monday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Mitchley at News24 Why some SAA workers are already protesting, only three weeks after the airline returned to the skies Fin24 reports that only three weeks after SA Airways (SAA) took the skies after being grounded for about a year and a half, there were scenes of labour protest outside its offices. Most of the protestors were employees who opted to take part in a government run training layoff scheme programme, rather than take a voluntary severance package (VSP) during the airline's business rescue process. The protest action was organised by the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and the SA Cabin Crew Association (Sacca). Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said on Friday the employees who opted for the training programme feel "overlooked". She explained: "Our challenge is that these people are sitting at home while the airline has started operations again. SAA makes them apply for positions but then they do not get the job. So, they are in limbo." SAA resumed operations on 23 September this year after going into business rescue in December 2019. In terms of SAA's rescue plan, the workforce had to be reduced from about 4,700 to only about 1,000. In an effort to save more jobs, it was proposed in consultations between the Department of Public Enterprises and unions that another 1,000 employees be placed on a temporary training layoff scheme for a year so that they could then be absorbed into the new airline as and when new positions become available. The training scheme option did not form part of the rescue plan and no money was allocated for this option. SAA said on Friday that a total of 225 employees were part of the temporary training layoff scheme. If they completed the programme and there was no job for them, they would still qualify for a severance package. They started receiving a stipend as from 31 March this year. But Sacca and Numsa accuse SAA of re-employing staff who took severance packages - instead of placing employees on the training layoff scheme programme. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carin Smith at Fin24 (subscriber access only)
Solidarity claims Sibanye-Stillwater is “preparing for a strike” at its SA gold operations Miningmx reports that according to trade union Solidarity, Sibanye-Stillwater was spending more time preparing for a strike at its gold operations than trying to reach a new wage settlement. Earlier this month, the union joined with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) in declaring a dispute with Sibanye over what they claimed was a meagre three-year wage offer. “After four months of negotiations, Sibanye’s salary offer stands at 3.4% for miners, artisans and officials, and a R400 increase for the category 4 to 8 employees, with a meagre increase for years two and three,” Gideon du Plessis, Solidarity general-secretary, pointed out. He went on to state: “Sibanye, who pleads poverty at the negotiating table, will have to learn from Harmony [Gold] and VMR [Village Main Reef] how to follow a progressive approach to salary negotiations. Currently it is spending more time preparing for a possible strike than trying to reach a settlement.” Sibanye spokesman James Wellsted said earlier this month that the company wouldn’t “accede to threats” after the unions embarked on their joint dispute action. Saying the producer would not cross-subsidise with income earned from mining platinum group metals, Wellsted stated: “If we were to accept the union demands as well as the increase in the wage tariff from Eskom of about 15%, the gold mines would be loss-making and that would result in job losses. If it goes to a strike, we have to do what’s right. We will take a strike.” The first conciliation session between unions and Sibanye will take place on 19 October under the auspices of the CCMA. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Governing council ‘has dismally failed Unisa’, very damning report finds Sunday Independent reports that, in a damning report, the governing council of the University of South Africa (Unisa), has been severely criticised for its lack of good governance and failure to safeguard the academic future of the institution. The report also strongly suggests the prosecution of individuals who have conducted themselves improperly. “Council is the root cause of the problems at Unisa,” states the report of the ministerial task team on the Review of the University of South Africa. It calls on the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, to probe financial impropriety and mismanagement at the institution. It blasts the university council for failing in its vital responsibility to safeguard the academic enterprise, the heart of the institution, and the raison d’être for a university’s very existence. The findings were described by an academic as a scathing indictment of the council, which served during the tenure of the former Unisa vice-chancellor, Professor Mandla Makhanya, who left office on 29 April 2021. On 2 September 2021, Unisa inaugurated its first woman vice-chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula. But it has been a baptism of fire for her as she sets about stamping her authority while cleaning up the legacy issues. Such issues have manifested themselves appallingly in this report. On staff shortages, the reports finds: “Academic staff at Unisa are stretched to the limit, with insufficient staff numbers in proportion to the rising numbers of students. In addition, a huge number of academic staff vacancies persist. As a result, there is inadequate student support.” According to the report, there is a pervasive culture of corruption, impunity, conflict, fear, and intimidation at Unisa. Nzimande’s office did not respond to a request for comment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Edwin Naidu on page 6 of Sunday Independent of 17 October 2021 or at University World News. Read too, Unisa in grip of graft ‘network’, on page 4 of Sunday Times of 17 October 2021 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
North West school principal placed on special leave for allegedly assaulting suspended pupil News24 reports that a principal has been placed on special leave after he allegedly manhandled a pupil inside a classroom at a school in Klerksdorp. The North West Department of Education temporarily removed the principal to allow its probe to "run smoothly". The incident took place on 13 October at Milner Secondary School in Klerksdorp. The 17-year-old Grade 10 pupil was earlier placed on suspension in another disciplinary matter. However, the pupil forcefully went to school and sat inside a classroom. In a video, which has gone viral, the pupil is seen arguing with a male teacher. The teacher warned the pupil that he should not be in school because he was suspended. The pupil then argued with the teacher, claiming that he was not going anywhere. In another video, a man is seen pushing and pinning a pupil to the ground, while other pupils cheer. Learning has resumed at the school. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24
Four Sassa officials in court on charges of attempting to defraud the agency of over R5.9m News24 reports that four SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) officials accused of attempting to defraud the agency of over R5.9 million made a court appearance on Friday. The accused - Philani Kwatsha, Mzivukile Galela, Mzwamadoda Ngoqo and Vunyiwe Toto - appeared in the Port Elizabeth Specialised Commercial Crime Court on charges of fraud. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), during the commission of the alleged fraud, the accused were employed at the following Sassa offices: Kwatsha (in Keiskammahoek), Galela and Ngoqo (in Graaff-Reinet), and Toto (in Cradock). Their duties were to capture and approve payments to Sassa beneficiaries, for which they were allocated user names and passwords for the computerised payment system. The accused allegedly substituted the bank accounts of beneficiaries with false bank accounts for their own benefit. The alleged fraudulent activities were discovered a few days later by the Eastern Cape provincial office of Sassa, which then investigated the matter. All payments were subsequently recalled and stopped before they could go through the bank accounts. The agency would have suffered a total loss of just over R5.9 million. The court granted all the accused R2,000 bail each. The case was postponed to 15 November 2021. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Mthethwa at News24
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page