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 Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Popcru 'enraged' by attack on Limpopo police station, calls for better resourcing of rural cops News24 reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) is "enraged" over the theft of arms and ammunition during an attack on a Limpopo police station. At around 23:00 on Sunday, a group of gunmen stormed into the Malamulele police station and held officers at gunpoint. They took R5 rifles, 9mm pistols, shotguns and an undisclosed quantity of ammunition. "It is understood these officers were then forcefully locked [in] the back of a police vehicle and after that, further attacks were conducted at nearby filling stations," Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo stated. At the time of the attack, five officers were on duty. According to Mamabolo, attacks on police stations have been on the increase. He said: “This brazen attack takes place at a time when there have been many vulnerabilities with regards to the integrity of police stations, dominantly those situated outside affluent areas, with challenges around the uneven allocation of resources and staff shortages at a peak.” He cited incidents in Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape and the North West. “It is a matter of urgency that the SAPS addresses the challenge around the uneven allocation of resources, so as to ensure rural and township police stations are well resourced and capacitated to improve on service delivery for their surrounding communities," Mamabolo said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 Interest groups write to warn Nxesi against 'destructive' occupational disease regulations Fin24 reports that a group of associations has warned Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi in an open letter that draft regulations under the Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Coida) would be financially detrimental to workers and medical service providers. The joint letter was written on behalf of 130 cross-sectoral bodies in the organised labour and the medical care finance sector - including the SA Medical Association and the National Employers' Association of SA. Earlier this year, Nxesi introduced the Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill, which included a clause that would have prohibited medical service providers from ceding their claims to third-party pre-funders and administrators for payment by the Compensation Fund (CF). The bill was withdrawn amid the prospect of a protracted legal challenge, before CF commissioner Victor Mafata reintroduced the provisions by way of regulations. "Although the offending clause was removed by Parliament, the very day after the legislature rose, the Compensation Fund commissioner published regulations that effectively bypassed our democratically elected representatives to achieve irrational and possibly unconstitutional aims," the letter claimed. According to the letter, associations were of the view that the regulations went far beyond the remit of the principal legislation and could be challenged on a constitutional basis. The letter concluded that the regulations published by the commissioner in October would deny medical service providers their rights, prevent the treatment of injured workers, and place employers at risk with little benefit in return. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24 (subscriber access only) Union says little has changed for domestic workers a year after ConCourt Coida judgment Cape Argus reports that a year after the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) handed down a judgment in the Mahlangu vs Minister of Labour matter compelling the inclusion of domestic workers in legislation aimed at protecting workers, there has been little change in compliance on the part of both employers and the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL). This is according to United Domestic Workers of SA president Pinky Mashiane, who added that the government was stalling in signing the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Coida) into law to cover domestic workers. In November last year, the ConCourt declared the exclusion of domestic workers from Coida unconstitutional and further ordered that the declaration be applied retrospectively to provide relief to domestic workers who were injured or died at work prior to the order. Mashiane said the DEL was also dragging its feet on educating domestic worker employees on Coida developments, resulting in employees not complying. Mashiane said she would use a meeting on Tuesday of the Injured Workers Action Group, the SA Medical Association and other organisations with Minister of Labour Thulas Nxesi to seek clarity on what the department was doing done in implementing and enforcing Coida since the ConCourt ruling, and how it would get the Act to work for domestic workers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mthuthuzeli Ntseku at Cape Argus Other internet posting(s) in this news category
As NICD warns of 'sustained increase' in Covid-19 infections, Gauteng accounts for nearly 80% of SA's 239 new cases TimesLIVE reports that the latest data from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases showed that Gauteng accounted for nearly 80% of SA's new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours. There were 312 new infections recorded across SA, of which 239 (77%) were in Gauteng. Only the Western Cape (16 cases), KwaZulu-Natal (15) and Mpumalanga (10) recorded new cases in double figures. The NICD also reported that there had been 10 new Covid-19 related deaths recorded in the past day. This means that there have been 2,930,174 cases and 89,584 fatalities recorded across SA to date. There were also 37 new hospitalisations in the past day, meaning that there are 2,715 people being treated for Covid-19 related complications in SA's hospitals. Earlier on Monday, the NICD warned that there was a “sustained increase” in new infections. There were particular concerns over the number of people testing positive in Gauteng — Tshwane especially — “among 10 to 29 year olds over the past week”. Additionally, the NICD has recently identified a cluster among the 20-44 age group at an institute of higher education in Tshwane. Fortunately, testing has not yet revealed any new variants of the virus. It was the Beta in the second wave and Delta in the third that largely drove infections. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE. Lees ook, Tshwane bekommerd oor skerp styging in Covid-19-gevalle, by Maroela Media Netcare holds back on mandatory Covid-19 vaccination of employees BL Premium reports that private hospital group Netcare is holding back on making Covid-19 vaccination compulsory, saying it would rather persuade than compel its employees to get jabbed. “We have taken a very different approach to our competitors. We believe there are complex issues here, and we need to seek to understand why people are objecting, (and) whether we can overcome these objections. In the vast majority of cases we have been able to,” Netcare CEO Richard Friedland said on Monday. He went on to indicate: “We are very comfortable with the levels we are achieving — over 85% are vaccinated and we continue to improve.” Friedland indicated that Netcare was waiting for the outcome of Business Unity SA’s request to the courts for a declaratory order on the legality of workplace vaccine mandates. “That will be enormously helpful. It is a critical issue for all of us,” he said. Mediclinic International and Life Healthcare both announced in October that they were introducing mandatory vaccination policies for staff and providers, joining a growing number of companies that have followed the lead of health and life insurer Discovery. The SA Human Rights Commission has said a law mandating vaccination would not be at odds with the constitution, but the government has stopped short of making vaccination compulsory for fear of pushback, with unions opposed to compulsory immunisation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Pfizer applies in SA for approval of booster shots Bloomberg reports that Pfizer and BioNTech have applied to have their coronavirus vaccine approved by the SA Health Regulatory Products Authority for use as a booster. The vaccine, the most widely used in South Africa for initial inoculation against Covid-19, would be the first to be approved for use as a booster in the mass rollout of vaccines to South Africa. The authority will assess the data to determine “the safety and efficacy” of its use as a third dose, it said in a statement on Monday. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Antony Sguazzin at Moneyweb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Production to resume after unprotected strike over safety issue at Harmony’s Doornkop gold mine The Star reported on Monday that operations at Harmony Gold’s Doornkop mine on the West Rand were expected to resume that day following last week's unprotected strike by workers. The workers had been complaining about an unsafe cage used to take workers underground and the suspension of several safety representatives who were holding the mine accountable for the unsafe cage. Following several meetings with unions, it was agreed that workers would resume their duties on Monday after management undertook that the cage would be maintained and safety guaranteed. The NUM’s Bonginkosi Mrasi said not all workers were happy about going back to work but the decision had been reached by all parties. He indicated: “Workers felt the cage was not properly serviced and maintained. They advised the company to get it fixed but the mine management gave them an attitude. Our safety reps decided to withdraw from a dangerous situation so we had to engage with the company and they agreed to lift the suspension on our members and we also agreed that workers will go back to work. They will also make sure the cage is safe to use.” Mrasi said: “The company had applied for an interdict and it was granted. In the interdict the police was granted the right to stabilise the situation but we are made aware that most of our members were shot while some were arrested when the police came and tried to control the situation. The situation was never at a violent stage. We do not know why police shot our members.” Meanwhile mineworkers said they feared using the cage, which would sometimes fill with water. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Itumeleng Mafisa on page 2 of The Star of 22 November 2021 Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Reserve Bank and Transnet top list of business and commerce companies South Africans most want to work for TimesLIVE reports that according to a recent survey, the SA Reserve Bank, Transnet and Google topped the list of the most attractive employers of 2021 in business and commerce. Employer branding agency Universum Global on Monday published a list of the most attractive employers in SA based on an independent and comprehensive career-related survey. The 2021 survey involved 24,053 professionals who identified the local companies they were most willing to work for and covered 48 industries over 50 different occupational groups. Universum said the change in the number of preferred employers had shifted throughout the years and business and commerce was leading the pack in terms of employer choices. It added: “Interest in searching for a career in education, however, has reduced, as has health/medicine. This reveals that the industries demonstrating growth are the ones experienced hires feel would fulfil their current career trajectories.” Other interesting findings from the survey showed that satisfaction among employees was found to be highest in the technology and computer software space. It also found that 62% of the respondents would prefer to work for an organisation founded in SA. The full list of the 20 most attractive employers of 2021 in the business and commerce field of occupation are listed in the TimesLIVE report. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at TimesLIVE Jobs boost in store as supply crisis spurs move by retailers to source products locally SowetanLIVE reports that spiralling shipping costs and Covid-19 supply chain disruptions are accelerating a shift by SA retailers to end their heavy reliance on Asia and move to source products locally. More than 50% of SA’s clothing textiles, shoes and leather products are imported, mostly from China, putting SA’s retailers at the mercy of forces beyond their control. While the government launched a programme in 2019 offering tax incentives to source goods locally, the recent problems arising out of Asia have added urgency to what had been a slow shift, four top retailers in SA told Reuters. “Most furniture in SA is imported. We are looking at options to manufacture more here, particularly at the moment when shipping costs are up 400%. It is even more of a reason, if you needed one” said TFG CEO Anthony Thunström. TFG, which sources 72% of its clothes locally, said earlier this month it wanted to locally manufacture 30-million pieces a year within four years, up from 11.5-million now, and was adding furniture and jewellery to its growing local list. Thunström said a lot of TFG’s jewellery was already made in SA, but he wanted to further increase local sourcing. TFG said earlier in November it would spend a further R575m in the next three to five years to build local manufacturing capability. The owner of British women’s wear brands Hobbs and Whistles and SA’s @Home homeware brand wants these products to be manufactured locally on a quick turnaround basis to improve lead times and be competitive against global chains Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nqobile Dludla at SowetanLIVE
CCMA and Busa launch free-to-use small business labour advice app Engineering News reports that the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in collaboration with business association Busa (Business Unity SA) has launched a free-to-use Labour Advice mobile application (app) aimed at offering practical labour-related guidance and support to small businesses and other interested persons. The Labour Advice app is an extension of the CCMA Busa Labour Advice Web Tool for Small Business. Busa said that in accordance with its mandate, this initiative aimed to facilitate and support the objectives of decent work, economic growth, employment creation and enabling small businesses to manage workplace relations effectively in order to contribute towards labour stability as well as a productive workforce. The app will allow businesses and other interested persons access to a repository of employment law resources, such as employment contract templates, information on CCMA processes, CCMA information sheets, infographics, guidelines on recruitment and on how to manage the employment relationship in terms of the law, procedural guidance on fair disciplinary and incapacity procedures, information on how to terminate employment contracts in a way that respects the rights of both parties, and access to important, up-to-date resources on the effective and compliant management of Covid-19 in the workplace. Details of where the app can be downloaded are in the report. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
Eskom Pension Fund’s chief investment officer steps down to pursue other interests BL Premium reports that the Eskom Pension and Provident Fund’s (EPPF’s) chief investment officer is stepping down to pursue other interests. The EPPF indicated in a statement on Monday that Ndabezinhle Mkhize was stepping down at the end of November. Mkhize’s contract would be coming to an end and he had elected to pursue interests outside the state utility’s pension fund, the EPPF said. Mkhize joined the EPPF in May 2014 initially as deputy chief investment officer and was subsequently appointed to the chief investment officer role in November 2016. Shafeeq Abrahams, CEO and principal officer at the EPPF, said in the statement: “During his (Mkhize’s) tenure as chief investment officer, investments grew from about R128bn to about R179bn currently. At the same time, he led the development and implementation of the EPPF’s investment strategy that now includes new asset classes with exposure to different markets across the globe.” The EPPF has launched what it called a “rigorous recruitment process” for a new chief investment officer, suggesting that the departure of Mkhize was not something that had been in the works for some time. In the interim, Phathutshedzo Mabogo and Thabo Letlaka — both of whom are currently serving as deputy chief investment officers at the EPPF — will act as joint chief investment officers reporting to Abrahams. Mkhize has agreed to act in an advisory role for a period of three months to ensure a smooth handover to Mabogo and Letlaka. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Garth Theunissen at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Untu claims surprise suspension of Prasa CEO is sabotage BL Premium reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) has alleged that the suspension of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA’s (Prasa’s) CEO is part of a broader campaign to sabotage state-owned entities and a push back against the drive to tackle corruption at parastatals. The Prasa board confirmed at the weekend that Zolani Matthews had been placed on suspension pending an investigation after he apparently failed to declare that he held a UK passport. “The suspension took us completely by surprise ... but it only reinforces our belief that there is deliberate sabotage of our state-owned enterprises. We have seen it happening most recently at Eskom, Transnet and now Prasa,” said Untu spokesperson Sonja Carstens. She asserted that there are many foreigners and holders of dual citizenship employed by state-owned enterprises. “So what is the problem if we employ a UK citizen? How can you suspend someone because they have UK citizenship when you are supposed to have checked that in the past [before hiring him]? We smell a rat. We are extremely upset about the current situation. This is destabilising Prasa all over again. It is very demoralising for workers ... by suspending him we are sabotaging the economy,” Carstens said. In her view, Matthews had managed to stabilise Prasa after years of “demolition of rail infrastructure and looting”. Carstens said the union would wait for the outcome of the Prasa investigation into the matter before deciding on its next move. Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda dismissed suggestions that the suspension was part of a plan to destabilise the agency. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bekezela Phakathi at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
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