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 Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Metals and engineering strike ends with Numsa inking deal ‘for sake of workers’ BL Premium reports that the eight days it took the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) to finally agree on the employers’ final offer of a 6% wage increase cost metalworkers R100m in lost wages, taking their total losses to about R300m during the three-week strike in the metals and engineering sector. In a media briefing on Thursday, Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said the union compromised by accepting the 6% based on the minimum rate of pay rather than on actuals because it wanted to settle the industrial action for the benefit of its members, who had paid a "heavy price during the strike". The three-year deal with the employer body, the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa), will see increases for lowest-paid workers of R52.52 to R59.01 per hour, and the highest-paid R88.99 to R98.11 per hour during the term of the deal. The hikes will be backdated to 1 July. Seifsa, the sector’s largest employer body representing 18 organisations with 170,000 workers, said last Friday that its proposed increase of 5% for artisans and 6% for general labourers was final. In a statement on Thursday, Seifsa said a "landmark wage agreement" had been reached. Workers are expected back at work from Friday. Numsa wants employment & labour minister Thulas Nxesi to gazette the deal and extend it to nonparties in the sector. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). See too, SA steelworkers back pay deal to end protracted strike, at Moneyweb. And also, Seifsa confirms end of three-week metals and engineering strike, at Engineering News Neasa recommends its members implement 5% increase for non-striking workers Engineering News reported on Wednesday that the National Employers’ Association of SA (Neasa) had recommended on 19 October that its members in the metals and engineering sector implement a 5% increase, across the board on the actual rate of pay currently being paid by a company, for employees who were not on strike. Since then it has been announced that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) have reached an agreement on a 6% increase to the minimum wage rate for the lowest-paid workers, who are expected to return to work on Friday. Although Neasa’s recommendation is not binding on employer members, such a recommendation would carry weight with members and the majority of employers would likely implement it. Neasa said it was, in principle, opposed to a ‘one-size-fits-all’ collective bargaining approach, which has characterised negotiations in the sector for decades. The association believes it is this approach that has caused the high levels of deindustrialisation in the industry. The association urged people to return to work to save jobs and prevent more damage to the industry. In a statement on Thursday, Neasa advised that it had not concluded any agreement with Numsa, but its recommendation as previously communicated on 19 October remained its position. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
Fire on Thursday engulfs chemical factory in Benoni, no casualties reported SowetanLIVE reports that a fire ripped through a chemical business in Benoni on the East Rand on Thursday, causing explosions and some walls to collapse. Ekurhuleni emergency services spokesperson William Ntladi advised that the blaze started at 9.45am. Ten fire engines and 37 firefighters responded. “On arrival it was well alight. The fire was mainly in the storage and manufacturing plant of the chemicals. The factory deals mainly with alcohol-based materials and spirits, benzine and other products such as aerosols,” Ntladi reported. The fire spread to finished products and the distribution plant. “There were some explosions that took place as a result of the 210 drums that were inside the storage tanks. The walls of the structure collapsed and the roofing materials also collapsed and caved in,” Ntladi noted. The fire has since been extinguished and no casualties were reported. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos and watch a video clip at SowetanLIVE
Rhodes University council approves senate recommendation for mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations News24 reports that Rhodes University students may be required to have themselves vaccinated against Covid-19 before returning to in-person classes after the university council approved a senate recommendation for mandatory vaccinations. The rule will require evidence of Covid-19 vaccination as a condition for access to the campus in 2022. "Based on an analysis of the law and information drawn from the higher education sector, it was submitted that having assessed risks, Rhodes University has a responsibility to ensure that employees and students are protected and that all the necessary precautionary measures are in place," the council indicated in a statement. The special meeting of the council was convened as the university prepares for the full return of students and staff in 2022. The vaccination requirement will also apply as a registration condition for all students as well as staff, service providers and visitors. A recommendation for an exemption application process and an alternative health status process for those who cannot take the vaccine on medical or other legitimate and justifiable grounds was also approved. Where such applications are successful, the university will consider steps to mitigate risk, including the requirement to produce a negative Covid-19 test result on a weekly basis. This would be at the cost of the student, staff member, visitor or service provider concerned. Sick leave will also be permitted if someone experiences side effects associated with the vaccine. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 Covid-19 drives up hospital admissions for mental illness in Western Cape BL Premium reports that the Western Cape’s top health official has sounded the alarm about rising rates of mental illness in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, citing a steady increase in the number of people with acute psychotic and behavioural disorders arriving at hospital emergency centres in recent months. “The entire mental healthcare system was under pressure before Covid-19. What you are seeing now is the impact of three waves [of infection] decreasing access to mental health services, and the rebound effect,” said Western Cape head of health Keith Cloete. The majority of people presenting to 17 emergency centres between June and October with psychosis, mental and behavioural disorders were cases related to substance abuse, he reported. The number of patients with mental health conditions discharged from acute hospitals, a measure used as a proxy for admissions, has also risen steadily and stood at a three-year high in August and September. Cloete noted that the latest National Income Dynamics Study — Coronavirus Rapid Mobile (Nids-Cram) Surveys had found that mental illness had increased during the pandemic. The SA Depression and Anxiety Group has also flagged rising rates of mental distress since Covid-19 struck, reporting a 48% increase in calls to its helpline in the nine months to September, compared to the year before. Call volumes rose from 179,090 in 2019, to 315,666 in 2020 and to 466,407 in the first nine months of 2021. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Thousands of municipal workers take to Tshwane streets in stand-off over salary benchmarking payments Pretoria News reports that thousands of municipal workers in Tshwane took to the streets on Thursday following a stand-off between the regional SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and the municipality over the implementation of salary increments and once-off payments linked to a benchmarking collective agreement. The benchmarking agreement was reached between the two parties at the bargaining council three years ago to adjust salaries of workers in line with the category 10 status acquired by the municipality in 2017. Workers also took issue with the fact that the municipality had decided to reduce the Tshwane Group Life benefits on the basis that they were unaffordable. In expressing their anger and frustration, workers emptied dustbins in the middle of the roads and littered the streets with rubbish. Traffic was hugely disrupted by the demonstrators, who marched along Madiba and Pretorius streets. Samwu regional chairperson Nkhetheni Muthavhi said the issues raised by the workers were expected to be addressed during a mayoral committee (Mayco) meeting which had taken place on Wednesday. He claimed, however, that none of the issues were addressed during the meeting led by mayor Randall Williams. Addressing the workers, union regional secretary, Mpho Tladinyane said the City indicated that it wanted to renege on the once-off payments provided in the benchmarking collective agreement. City's head of labour relations, Ronald Oppelt, received a memorandum on behalf of the municipality and promised to look into the workers' demands. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Rapula Moatshe at Pretoria News
Six Illegal miners killed, eight injured and 87 arrested in shootout with Hawks in Orkney, North West, on Wednesday News24 reports that six illegal miners were killed, eight were injured, and 87 others arrested following a shootout with the Hawks on Wednesday. The members of the Special Task Force, assisted by the Hawks Organised Crime Unit, received a tip-off about illegal mining activities taking place in Orkney on Wednesday night. According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mohale, when the task force descended on the identified shaft, they were met with gunfire. "The team returned fire wherein eight suspects were wounded and six fatally, while eighty-seven were arrested. One member of team was wounded," Mohale reported. The wounded were taken to hospital under police guard. Two minibuses, illegal mining paraphernalia, gold bearing material, 11 illegal firearms (three shotguns, three rifles, four pistols and one revolver) and bags of food were confiscated from the scene. Those arrested will appear in the Orkney Magistrate's Court on Monday. They will face charges of attempted murder, illegal possession of gold, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of prohibited firearms, theft and conspiracy to commit an offence. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Mthethwa at News24
Managers at North West Cricket almost all white, but CEO Prinsloo denies racism TimesLIVE reports that North West Cricket (NWC) chief HP Prinsloo said that the union would change its ways after it came under fire for having an all-white management team. The administrator, men’s head coach, women’s head coach, finance manager, head groundsman and chair of the umpires are all white males and report to Prinsloo, another white male. The only black person in a management role is the cricket services manager, who is of Indian descent. “This is correct, but to reflect on it we must look at the appointment dates of those people. It was a very long time ago. It is my presentation that labour law issues [mean we] can’t get rid of these people for the sake of doing so,” said Prinsloo. He appeared before Cricket SA’s (CSA's) social justice and nation-building transformation hearings in response to allegations of anti-transformation and racism levelled at NWC by former NWC president Dr Oupa Nkagisang, NWC members' council member Phestus Motshabi and former umpire Papi Mbese. Prinsloo said NWC “reaffirms its commitment to transformation and transparent management and administration of the union in the best interests of cricket and all affiliates and stakeholders.” He advised that the NWC payroll showed that 84% of employees were black and black African, although the right workforce demographics were reflected only at lower levels and not in management. Prinsloo advised that NWC would in the coming months restructure and ensure that demographics at senior managerial levels at the union were reflective of the country. Prinsloo denied accusations of racism from former umpire Mbese, who testified in July that he was called the k-word by Johan Louw, who is the president of umpires at NWC. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tiisetso Malepa at TimesLIVE
Minister promotes magistrate after being compelled by court to do away with racist exclusion Trade union Solidarity announced on Thursday that Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has appointed Martin Kroukamp as a senior magistrate. The appointment was signed by the minister on 10 October 2021 and was effective from that date. The appointment follows years of litigation undertaken by Solidarity against the Department of Justice. Kroukamp had been excluded from promotion for 12 years based on his race until the Equality Court in August 2021 ruled that Kroukamp should be appointed to the post. “We are extremely pleased by the ruling, and we welcome Mr Kroukamp’s eventual appointment made in terms of this ruling. The message it sends out is clear and the government should take note that this type of discrimination will not be tolerated and that the correct action is indeed enforceable by a court of law,” Anton van der Bijl, Solidarity’s head of Legal Matters noted. According to Solidarity, Kroukamp’s case will pave the way for future litigation regarding appointments by state departments. The union said the government must renounce its racial ideology and make appointments on the basis of the applicants’ knowledge and experience, thereby removing race completely from the criteria. Read Solidarity’s press statement in the above regard at Solidarity News
Niehaus and Mathabe demand outstanding salaries from ANC IOL reports that lawyers representing fired ANC staffer Carl Niehaus and his former colleague MacDonald Mathabe have sent a lawyers’ letter of demand to the party officials to pay their outstanding salaries. The letter of demand was sent on Thursday and addressed to ANC Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte. The letter demands the ANC honour its liabilities, and in the event of failing to do so, the duo will institute proceedings to declare the ANC insolvent and to be sequestrated. Additional steps which may follow will include approaching the IEC for dissolution and deregistration of the party. According to the letter, from about June 2018, without notifying employees, the ANC stopped paying employee benefits. Niehaus and Mathabe only became aware of this after other employees died and their families could not claim pension benefits. In addition to the non-payment of benefits, Niehaus and Mathabe and other employees claim they last received a regular monthly salary some four months ago. “The situation is untenable and has put our clients in grave risk, their medical insurance has been suspended and, they have fallen behind on their bonds and vehicle payments and face the possibility of evictions and repossessions, and they are unable to provide for the needs of their families,” the letter states. The letter further demands that the ANC should pay all outstanding salaries to Niehaus and Mathabe within 10 days. The letter of demand follows on the criminal charges that Niehaus and Mathabe have laid against the national office-bearers of the ANC and the party itself. They have also laid an official complaint against the party’s national office-bearers with the public protector. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kailene Pillay at IOL
Two senior University of Fort Hare officials under suspension quit amid Hawks probe into alleged NSFAS corruption News24 reports that two senior managers responsible for student funding allocations at the University of Fort Hare have resigned amid a Hawks investigation into National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) fraud allegations. The resignations of the head of the financial aid and bursaries department, Grant Skinnette, and the manager of the fees, financial aid and bursaries department, Alberto Lai Wing, were announced to the university on Monday. The resignations came after they were placed on suspension in April as part of the university's investigation into serious misconduct allegations. They were suspended at the height of rolling student protests over the shortage of NSFAS funding. The university said that following its investigation, both former employees elected to resign prior to disciplinary hearings commencing. Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said an investigation by its Serious Corruption Investigating Unit commenced in February and was still ongoing. Allegedly, the two started up merchants, which they then approved as designated stores for students to purchase their study material and food. Furthermore, they allegedly allocated NSFAS funding to people not registered with the university and to students who had left the university and were no longer eligible for NSFAS funding. Lai Wing joined the university in September 2005, while Skinnette was employed in March 2013. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malibongwe Dayimani at News24
‘Prasa won’t be able to provide a reliable service’ in coming financial year SowetanLIVE reports that Passenger Rail Agency of SA CEO Zolani Matthews says he is not confident that the railway group can provide a reliable service in the coming financial year. Matthews was speaking at the release of the Railway Safety Regulator’s (RSR’s) state of safety report on Wednesday, which highlighted the crime and safety issues faced by the embattled railway sector. “The mainline passenger train service has not been operating as efficiently due to a lack of adequate locomotives to do that. We hope that over the course of the next 12 months we begin a service and it will not be a full service,” Matthews indicated. He went on to say: “We will gradually build that up if we have enough capacity, we also are concerned with our ability to offer a reliable continuous service that is on time and that commuters can trust, so we are not going to rush this process because we want to ensure we can provide a sustained service not just on mainline but on all corridors in all regions.” The RSR report indicated that there had been decreased levels of safety incidents in general, but this was because of a limited movement of trains over the past financial year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “Theft of assets contributed a total of 79% to the overall security-related incidents recorded during the 2020/21 reporting period. The number of theft of assets recorded in 2020/21 is 11% lower compared to the 2019/20 reporting period, but 108% higher than 2013/14 and 60% higher since 2010/11,” according to the report. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Karabo Ledwaba at SowetanLIVE
Labour Minister promises “mobile office” to rural Limpopo villages, where people are sleeping outside offices to avoid long queues GroundUp reports that Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister Thulas Nxesi has promised to send a bus to serve as a mobile labour office to assist people living in rural areas in Limpopo. Many people have resorted to sleeping outside the Thohoyandou office to be among the first in line to apply for Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) benefits, but they are often still not served that day. In September, GroundUp reported on more than 100 people who had been sleeping with blankets and cardboard sheets outside the Makhado labour office in Louis Trichardt. In response to many complaints, Nxesi and Deputy Minister Boitumelo Moloi visited the Thohoyandou Labour Centre on Tuesday. Nxesi promised that the department would get a mobile office to provide basic assistance to people in remote villages. Commenting on the long queues at some labour offices, Nxesi said the Covid-19 pandemic had had a massive impact on service, with “millions of people flooding our offices” after losing their jobs due to lockdown. “Some of our systems collapsed because they were not used to dealing with huge numbers. Due to Covid-19 protocols, some of our staff members worked from home and this partly contributed to the long queues. In addition, some of the people who were supposed to apply for the R350 social distress grant, got lost queuing at our offices and we redirected them to the right offices,” Nxesi indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bernard Chiguvare at GroundUp
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