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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Protest by Nehawu members on Monday over safety and working conditions at Parliament EWN reports that the devastating fire at Parliament’s buildings in Cape Town has now become a labour issue, with scores of National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) members having staged a protest over their safety and working conditions. The group of employees gathered on Monday outside the gates of Parliament. While Parliament’s protection services and catering staff have been ordered back to work, Nehawu members want written guarantees of their safety. On Friday, Parliament's management assured MPs that it was implementing an action plan to ensure the precinct was compliant with safety regulations. However, Parliament's Nehawu branch secretary, Temba Gubula, said their members would not be reporting for duty until the union had received a written safety guarantee. "We came here today to show the employer that we are not lazy to work, we are here to work, but the employer has an obligation to come and assure workers that it is safe for them to come back inside and none of that has happened," Gubula indicated. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Babalo Ndenze at EWN Jab mandates should not lead to job losses at tertiary education institutions, says Nzimande BL Premium reports that Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has moved to allay fears that mandatory vaccination policies could lead to job losses at some of SA’s tertiary education institutions. In a written reply to a parliamentary question on the recent decision by the University of the Free State to introduce a mandatory vaccination policy, Nzimande said the university’s policy was “accommodating, and it provides students and staff with an option to apply for an exemption through a structured process”. Nzimande, who has previously stated that institutions were within their rights to introduce mandatory vaccination policies, suggested that those who were not vaccinated could be accommodated in separate offices, while others could indefinitely work from home. “We do not believe the policy will lead to job losses as the policy generally has the support of staff through consultation with stakeholder unions. There are a few staff who have indicated that they will not vaccinate, and we believe they will apply for an exemption. Those receiving exemptions could already have their own offices or could be provided with dedicated areas,” Nzimande indicated in his written reply. But some employees, such as medical staff required to train students in laboratories, cleaners, gardeners, and student support staff in student affairs, residences and financial aid offices, will not be able to perform duties without coming to campus. “We will continuously engage these staff on the best options for them to be able to do their duties within the Occupational Health and Safety Act. If all this fails and there is still a refusal by the staff member to apply for an exemption, then together with the employee we will engage in a fair process to resolve the matter,” Nzimande said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bekezela Phakathi at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
ANC staff embark on stay away over unpaid salaries TimesLive reports that on Monday ANC staff embarked on a stay away over unpaid salaries. This followed a resolution taken at a general staff meeting on Friday after the political party’s treasurer-general, Paul Mashatile, failed to meet a commitment to pay outstanding salaries by 15 November. Worker representative Mvusi Mdala indicated: “The commitment was not honoured and staff have expressed their disappointment and dissatisfaction. The nonpayment of salaries has affected staff and their families in a very negative way, especially in this month with the reopening of schools. The other pressing matter raised [at the general staff meeting] was the allocation of transport money for some staff members to do ANC work. It is unfair and inhumane to expect staff to do work and on the other hand not be able to pay bills or provide basic needs for their families.” Another worry for staffers is the unpaid pension fund contributions, which are apparently overdue since November 2018. Staff requested a meeting with Mashatile, who committed to meet them on Tuesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nonkululeko Njilo at BusinessLive. Read too, ANC staff down tools over dispute over outstanding wages with party, at News24. And also, ANC staffers embark on stay-away over unpaid salaries, broken promises, at EWN
Unions angered by Clover’s ’low’ 13th cheques payouts Sunday Tribune reports that while some Clover employees started receiving their annual bonuses after a recent legal victory against the dairy manufacturer, the unions representing workers have expressed disappointment with some of the payouts. Mametlwe Sebei of the General Industrial Workers Union of SA (Giwusa) said they were angered by some of the payouts, one of which was as little as R59,52. The 13th cheque payments were due for payout on Friday, as per a ruling made by the CCMA earlier in the week. Cynthia Joyce of the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) said they would be taking Clover back to the CCMA following the inadequate payout amounts. He complained that ever since Clover merged with Milco (an Israeli company, in 2019), it has disregarded SA law and regulatory authorities, including the terms and conditions of the merger, and now, the ruling of the CCMA regarding employee bonuses. Clover has been plagued by nearly two months of strike action. Workers across the country downed tools over the company’s recent restructuring, wage cuts and retrenchments. “Clover failed its employees by not abiding by the merger conditions. One of which was to create about 500 jobs. Instead, 2,000 workers have lost their jobs,” claimed Sebei. According to Sebei, the unions and other stakeholders met with the Deputy Director-General: Corporate Management in the office of the President, on Thursday. “We agreed that within seven days, the government will ask the relevant ministries to intervene in the Clover situation, and organise a table meeting of all parties, including Clover management, to discuss the way forward,” said Sebei. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinenhlanhla Zungu at Sunday Tribune
'It’s not over till the fat lady sings’, say unions as they gear up for Sibanye-Stillwater wage strike Business Report writes that the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) has issued a strike certificate to unions at precious metal producer, Sibanye-Stillwater, after gold wage negations collapsed late last year. The certificate permits the unions, which comprise the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Solidarity, and Uasa, to embark on a strike at Sibanye's SA gold operations in Gauteng and the Free State and for the company to implement a lockout within a 12-month period from issuance. Uasa’s Franz Stehring confirmed that the unions had received the certificate. "The company has made it clear that they are willing to talk to us. For us, it's not over until the fat lady sings,“ he commented. Wage talks between unions and Sibanye deadlocked in November 2021 after the unions rejected the company’s wage offer. The CCMA has been mediating the dispute. Stehring added that he still hoped that discussions would bring the company to settle above the amount it was offering. “We haven't received a final offer from the company yet. As soon as they give us a final offer, we will convey it to our members who will then give us mandate whether to strike or not,” he stated. Sibanye on Friday said while the certificate of non-resolution had been issued, it continued to urge unions and employees to reconsider the company’s offer, which was in line with consumer inflation (CPI) and followed several years of above CPI increases. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dieketseng Maleke at Business Report Other general posting(s) relating to mining
National Treasury gives Tshwane R142m to create 9,000 work opportunities Pretoria News reports that the City of Tshwane’s Community and Social Development Services Department has officially launched a recruitment drive funded by the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme to create work opportunities. MMC Peggy de Bruin on Sunday revealed that, as part of the programme, the city had been allocated R146,215,000 by the National Treasury to create 9,000 of these work opportunities for a period of six months. Applicants will be recruited from the existing Expanded Public Works Programme database, which has 150,000 registered job seekers. "To ensure that the process is aligned with our values of fairness and transparency, the City is implementing its lottery recruitment system, which is an electronic random draw. The system works independently without any influence by electronically selecting applicants from our Expanded Public Works Programme database,” De Bruin explained. She added that registration on the database was open for job seekers between the ages of 18 and 60, who should bring along a certified copy of their identity document and proof of residence. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by James Mahlokwane at Pretoria News
Plenty of bidders for Mango, but none of them has provided 'acceptable' proof of funding News24 reports that none of the potential investors who expressed an interest in Mango has provided an "acceptable form of proof of funding" and so they have been given more time to comply. This is according to a letter dated 14 January 2022 from the airline's business rescue practitioner, Sipho Sono, to those who have indicated an interest in the low-cost subsidiary of state-owned SA Airways (SAA). If no suitable buyer is found, the airline could end up being liquidated. The potential investors' names have not been revealed. Mango's business rescue plan stipulates that any buyer will have to show it has access to at least R200 million to enable Mango to resume operations and provide the necessary working capital. Proof of funding is a peremptory requirement in order to proceed to the next phase of the bidding process. The potential investors now have until 4 February to supplement their original expressions of interest with the necessary documents. Due to the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and related travel bans on the aviation industry, Mango went into voluntary business rescue at the end of July 2021. The airline cannot resume operations until and unless it secures a new investor. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carin Smith at News24
State-subsidised old age homes accused by DA of underpaying workers SowetanLive reports that Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Bridget Masango has called for research to determine a fair minimum wage for employees in government-subsidised old age homes. Masango’s call came after Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu revealed in a written reply to a parliamentary question that employees in government-subsidised old age homes in Mpumalanga received R2,700 a month, and that the last increase to subsidies was in April 2012. “Despite food and other necessary resources becoming ever more expensive, these crucial employees have had to desperately try to make ends meet a shrinking wage. Government-subsidised old age homes have also suffered from this stunted grant, making it increasingly difficult to provide quality care, nutrition and safe environments for the vulnerable elderly dependent on them. Many old age facilities and non-governmental organisations had to close their doors due to devastation funding cuts had on their budgets,” Masango indicated. She said the DA would submit more parliamentary questions to establish the standards set by the government for old age homes and the minimum requirement needed to get financial assistance. Zulu indicated that the department paid a monthly unit cost for each person at a home, but the stipend for employees was determined by the old age homes as the facilities were run independently and not by her department. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Penwell Dlamini at SowetanLive
Old Mutual hits out at former CEO Peter Moyo’s R250m damages claim BL Premium reports that Old Mutual hit out at its former CEO, Peter Moyo, ahead of a hearing in the Gauteng High Court that began on Monday and in which the group’s former boss is seeking both reinstatement and R250m in damages from the company. The case centres on whether Old Mutual was entitled to terminate Moyo’s contract on six months’ notice according to the terms outlined in his employment contract. Old Mutual said Moyo’s case against it “will be defended vigorously as having no merit” as it was entitled to terminate his employment by giving notice in accordance with the contract, which ultimately saw the firm pay him six months’ salary. “Old Mutual does not only dispute the amount Moyo is claiming, but indeed that any damages whatsoever are due. We will show in our defence that Moyo was lawfully dismissed, was paid what was owed to him, and hence we do not believe he has a legal basis for claiming any amount whatsoever,” the company indicated in a statement on Monday. The court case stems from Old Mutual’s decision to first suspend and then later dismiss Moyo in 2019 over alleged conflicts of interest related to NMT Capital, the investment firm he helped found and in which Old Mutual was a 20% shareholder. “Moyo has had a string of losses in court based on his attempt to be reinstated. There is no reason to believe that the court will come to a different conclusion on this occasion,” said Old Mutual. The insurance and investment firm added: “Old Mutual anticipates the dismissal of the current claim will finally put an end to the needless rounds of litigation instituted by Moyo.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Garth Theunissen at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Acting principal loses R33,000 job over R4,000 kickback on textbook order TimesLive reports that an acting principal who shared a kickback on a textbook order with a school governor has failed to overturn his dismissal by the Free State education department. RJ Segalo lost his R33,000-a-month job at Ditholwana Primary in Botshabelo after splitting a R6,000 kickback with the chairperson of the governing body, according to an Education Labour Relations Council finding. Segalo told arbitrator AW Howden that he did not realise the money was a bribe or that accepting it was against the law. But Howden said: “This in itself is dishonesty.” The arbitrator criticised Segalo for his claim that he only raised the alarm about the kickback two or three weeks later when the books were not delivered. “An inference that can be made here that [he] suddenly realised he was going to be exposed for his misdeeds and conveniently had a change of heart,” he said. "[Segalo] has chosen to plead ignorance and attempted to shift the blame to others. However, based on the submissions of the parties and on the balance of probability, it is my finding that [he] has acted dishonestly in this matter and has contravened the rules or standards in doing so,” the arbitrator found. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dave Chambers at TimesLive
Ex-Eskom manager Petrus Mazibuko’s bid to appeal against R11.5m forfeiture order dismissed Eyewitness News reports that the Special Tribunal on Monday dismissed a bid for leave to appeal a forfeiture order to the tune of R11.5 million. Former Eskom senior manager, Petrus Mazibuko applied for leave to appeal the order. Mazibuko was dismissed by Eskom last year after a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation revealed that he illegally received over R11 million from Eskom suppliers. The SIU approached the Special Tribunal to freeze the funds after allegations were received from a whistleblower that Mazibuko had received unauthorised payments from two Eskom suppliers, namely Commodity Logistix Managers Africa and Thembathlo Pty Ltd. The appeal bid was dismissed with costs. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at EWN
Metrorail's Central Line in Cape Town to be fully operational by end of July, claims Mbalula News24 reports that Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula is adamant that the Metrorail’s Central Line in Cape Town will be fully operational by the end of July this year. The Central Line serves the largest portion of Cape Town's population and has not been fully operational since closing in 2019. The closure was due to cable theft and vandalism. The occupation of shacks erected on the railway lines in Langa and Philippi have also hampered efforts to restart train services on the Central Line. "I have no doubt that we will meet the deadline to return the Central Line to full service by the end of July 2022, while we continue with the resignalling project," Mbalula indicated on Monday. He was speaking at a press briefing following a whirlwind inspection of the Cape Town Northern Line and the Western Cape Rail Management and Traffic Control Centre in Bellville. "I am satisfied that the infrastructure upgrades are on track to salvage a dilapidated network that has been brought to its knees by criminal conduct. These upgrades will be reinforced by a security model that relies on tight collaboration with law enforcement authorities and intelligence services to ensure effective protection of these public assets," the minister said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24. Read too, ‘Around R7 billion' will be spent on improving train services, says Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, at News24 Commuters delighted at return of trains between Mabopane and Pretoria SowetanLive reports that passenger rail services have resumed between Mabopane and Pretoria after a two-year absence, much to the delight of commuters. The trains, which will run during the morning and afternoon peak periods, stopping at several stations along the route, began operating on Monday morning in the Mabopane and Pinaarspoort to Pretoria corridors. When Sowetan visited Mabopane station, commuters and ordinary residents came out in numbers to welcome and see the blue trains they have been waiting for since October 2019 when the train service was stopped. Covid-19 protocols were observed, with passengers wearing masks and maintaining a 2m distance between them. John Maluleka, a street vendor from Winterveld, north of Pretoria, said he was excited at the return of trains as when using taxis it would cost him R2,300 a month. Maluleka will now spend about R200 for a monthly ticket to get to Marabastad where he sells his wares. Kevin Mbhalati of Mabopane was over the moon and indicated: “I almost lost my job as I would normally not report for work at times as I did not have money for transport.” Mbhalati used to spend R1,500 per month on transport. “I am now going to pay R190, I’ll be saving about R1,310, this is really a miracle,” he said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Keletso Mkhwanazi at SowetanLive
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