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 Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Busa calls for structural economic reforms announcement at SONA Engineering News reports that business organisation Business Unity SA (Busa) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to make an announcement during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday that there is an urgent need for structural economic reforms. "The SONA represents a crucial chance to convey the message that his government recognises the crisis the country is in, has co-developed a strategy with social partners in response to the crisis and is prepared to implement it," said Busa CEO Cas Coovadia. He went on to add: "As a result of fiscal constraints, a social crisis of unprecedented proportions has arisen, with poverty a growing challenge and unemployment at record-high levels. Busa wants to see a clear implementation strategy that demonstrates government's commitment to the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan that identifies and calls for bids on five or six critical growth-enhancing infrastructure projects as a catalyst for job creation." An action plan to deal with the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) crisis must include decisions on which SOEs were of strategic importance, the private sector's role, as well as applicable governance and skills challenges. Busa has also called for a clear implementation strategy on how the government planned to address the current energy crisis in the country. Furthermore, the organisation wants an announcement that the President will release clear, firmly structured processes for each deliverable, clear responsibilities for members of Cabinet and timelines to achieve precise implementation milestones to focus on meeting goals. What is also needed is a clear message on how the government is planning to implement the findings of the Zondo Commission report, with a clear plan and timeline for implementation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News Union federations urge Ramaphosa to cut ‘austerity measures’ BL Premium reports that trade union federations have called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to move away from economic policies have led to an unemployment rate of nearly 35% and were “suffocating the economy”. They want the president to announce the changes when he delivers his state of the nation address (SONA) on Thursday. Cosatu’s Sizwe Pamla said the government needed to acknowledge that the deepening socioeconomic crises in SA came from “the misguided macroeconomic policy framework” implemented over the years. Ramaphosa should provide a frank assessment of what needed to be done and clear interventions to turn the country around, said Pamla. Interventions critical to growing the economy and rebuilding the state included speedy rebuilding of power utility Eskom to ensure reliable and affordable electricity. The government also needed to extend the R350 social relief of distress grant beyond March and increase it to meet the food poverty line of R624, so it could be used as a foundation for a basic income grant. Pamla also said the president needed to address the contentious issue of SA companies that were “playing poor foreign workers against poor South African workers”, with the department of employment & labour, the department of home affairs and other relevant state institutions enforcing “the current labour and immigration laws to combat this problem.” Cosatu called for more support for the presidential employment programme in the 2022 budget, to create an additional 2-million “badly needed jobs”. The SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) wants Ramaphosa to focus on job creation so that the “12.5-million people in this country who are not in any form of employment, education and training may be able to find work”. Saftu called for an end to “austerity measures” and a basic income grant of R1,500. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Ramaphosa set to extend R350 social relief grant in SONA as government weighs introducing permanent basic income grant BL Premium reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to extend the temporary social relief grant beyond March as the government weighs introducing a permanent basic income grant. This is according to two sources with knowledge of the matter. Ramaphosa is due to deliver his annual state of the nation address (SONA) on Thursday — a day after a cabinet meeting apparently decided against making any firm commitments about a basic income grant in the absence of a funding mechanism. But the meeting gave Ramaphosa the thumbs up to announce the extension of the R350-a-month grant to unemployed adults introduced in 2020 as part of the government’s efforts to soften the blow of pandemic-induced lockdowns. In the meantime, the National Treasury will be looking at how to fund the basic income grant, which may include an increase in tax. The government has been under intense pressure to use the temporary grant as the basis for a universal social wage. The cabinet’s decision to not immediately implement the basic income grant could be a reflection of conflicting views among the President’s economic advisory team. Ramaphosa is also expected to confirm reporting this week that some jobs in the economy would be reserved for South Africans. In addition, the cabinet apparently resolved to declare service delivery and infrastructure development a national emergency, suggesting that Ramaphosa would use the annual address to touch on two issues. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hajra Omarjee and Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
In wake of Tembisa Hospital shooting, Denosa wants health department to bar cops from entering hospitals with guns News24 reports that the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) wants the health department to challenge and reconsider the law that allows police officials to enter health premises with their guns, unless the situation should be of an extraordinary nature. This was indicated after a 30-year-old assistant nurse was shot dead by her police officer boyfriend at Tembisa Hospital on Wednesday. According to the Gauteng Department of Health, the 30-year-old police officer entered the hospital with a state vehicle and called his partner to the parking lot, where he shot her before turning the gun on himself. He survived and is apparently in a critical condition. Denosa called on law enforcement agencies to ensure the police officer was placed behind bars for "abusing his power". The union’s Gauteng chairperson, Simphiwe Gada, commented: "This incident has highlighted the need to reconsider allowing officers of the law to enter facilities with guns, and the need to have gun storage in healthcare facilities by security, unless they are escorting a dangerous patient or a convict.” The organisation's provincial leaders and staff visited the hospital in a show of solidarity with the affected staff members and patients. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alfonso Nqunjana at News24. Read too, 'We don't feel safe': Nurses at Tembisa Hospital reeling after deadly shooting, at News24 Three prison wardens stabbed by inmate at Joburg Correctional Centre IOL reports that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed that three prison officials were stabbed by an inmate at the Johannesburg Correctional Centre on Wednesday morning. All three were treated and discharged from the hospital the same day. However, gruesome pictures have shown the officials bleeding profusely while receiving treatment. “Minimum force had to be used in disarming the inmate and stopping him from attacking other officials,” DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo reported. According to Nxumalo, criminal charges will be instituted against the inmate in question. He did not give specifics of the inmate in question, but apparently the inmate is stationed in the Medium C section of the prison. Meanwhile, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) spokesperson Richard Mamabolo condemned the attack. “We are disturbed by such recurring incidents of altercations across our Correctional centres. It's a reflection of the staff shortages, and deviates the department from fulfilling its core mandate, which is rehabilitation. We urge the Minister to look into ensuring our Correctional centres become self-sustainable in giving inmates skills. As it stands, 85% of those released from our centres are reoffending, demonstrating the lack of rehabilitation therein,” Mamabolo stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntombi Nkosi at IOL Boxing SA vows to root out fake HIV test certificates SowetanLive reports that a recent report on allegedly HIV positive boxers using friends' negative results to get their licensees in Eastern Cape has caused a stir in the fight fraternity. According to Boxing SA's East London provincial manager Phakamile Jacobs, the alleged misrepresentation of facts is caused by the online system of registration and applying for licensees. The online system was introduced during the height of Covid-19 two years ago. Capturing licenses had previously been done manually through provincial managers. Daily Dispatch broke the story on the new trend of fighters using other people's results. It quoted Jacobs as saying: "I know quite a lot of them who do this and if BSA does not put stringent measures (in place) I am afraid we are opening ourselves to libel.” Mandla Ntlanganiso, BSA’s director of operations, said on Tuesday: "We have learnt with utter disgust on the allegations that there are boxers faking medical results in the Eastern Cape. These allegations are very serious and - If true - are potentially detrimental to the health of other boxers and the image of the sport … The BSA medical commission has been informed of these allegations and were requested to act immediately by reviewing the current measures with a view to plugging any gaps that might exist.” He said part of the immediate measures taken was to strengthen the medical examination process through deploying BSA appointed doctors during the sparring sessions (where amateur boxers graduate to the professional ranks) to conduct health examinations. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bongani Magasela at SowetanLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Alleged illegal miner killed, 11 others arrested following shootout with Boksburg cops News24 reports that an alleged illegal miner was killed and 11 others arrested following a shootout with police in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, on Wednesday. Boksburg police officers were called to a scene where a person had reportedly been shot in an open field at approximately 13:20. When the officers arrived, they saw a group of suspected illegal miners. "More police officers from Boksburg North, the Ekurhuleni Trio Task Team, Highway Patrol and private security companies were summoned," police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo reported. He indicated that as the police were approaching, the armed group started shooting at them. Eleven suspects were arrested with the assistance of a police helicopter. One of suspects, who was critically injured during the shootout, later died of his injuries. Police recovered three unlicenced firearms and more than 70 rounds of ammunition. Masondo said the suspects would be charged with the possession of unlicenced firearms, possession of unlicenced ammunition, murder and attempted murder. They are due to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Mthethwa at News24. Read too, Illegal miner in shootout with police shot dead in Boksburg, at IOL
Treasury moves to fill 67 strategic vacancies following exodus of senior employees Fin24 reports that National Treasury has advertised 67 key, strategic positions that it wants filled as it moves to rebuild capacity after a number of resignations of senior people. Concerns have been raised over what appeared to be a high exit rate in recent years and a loss of skills, with a large number of officials serving in acting capacities. Addressing MPs on Tuesday, Laura Mseme, acting head of the office of the director-general’s office, said that 67 vacancies had been advertised in December and added: "The vacancy rate is a priority. We have identified critical vacancies and skills and we have mounted a campaign to have them filled." Two deputy director general positions have been recently filled with the appointment of Duncan Pieterse as head of Asset and Liability Management and Edgar Sishi as head of the budget office. The department has been unable to find a suitable chief procurement officer and, after several failed attempts, has resorted to brief a head hunter. Once that was filled, the process to find an accountant general would commence, said Mseme. Once suitable recruits have been found for the 67 positions, a second round of advertisements will follow for support positions around those roles. Treasury employed 1,032 people at the end of January. It is undergoing an organisational review process, which will be completed this year. It is unlikely to lead to a reduction in the staff complement. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carol Paton at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
New minimum wage a boost for millions of workers, says Cosatu Fin24 reports that trade union federation Cosatu has hailed the increase to the national minimum wage (NMW), as well as the full inclusion of domestic workers and farm workers. The new NMW is set at R23.19 per hour - an increase of 6.9% - and fully includes domestic workers, whose minimum wage was previously set at 75% of the NMW, and farm workers. The latest amendments are set to come into effect from 1 March. Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said the gazetted increases would make a positive difference in the lives of more than 6 million workers, particularly those who were now fully included in the NMW. "It will mean a significant increase for the 892,000 domestic workers who are overwhelmingly women and also improve the lives of 800,000 farm workers," said Pamla. However, he stressed that Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and Community Works Programme (CWP) workers still remained at 55% of the NMW at R12.75. He said Cosatu would engage with government on how to equalise EPWP and CWP wages with the NMW. Lobby groups such as the National Employer Association of SA (Neasa) have been opposed to the NMW in principle as well as an increase in the domestic worker wage, arguing that it did not account for unique circumstances of affordability. "The increase in domestic workers amounts to a 21% increase. The question is how is the domestic worker market going to afford that? The upper level of this market is paying their workers beyond the current minimum wage level, but middle income market won’t be able to cover it," warned Neasa CEO Gerard Papenfus. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24 Agri SA warns of potential job losses in wake of minimum wage hike BL Premium reports that in the wake of the latest increase in the national minimum wage, agricultural industry body Agri SA has warned that farmers are likely to accelerate the adoption of technology and mechanisation in a bid to cut labour costs. This could prove disastrous for the government’s drive to cut the soaring unemployment rate, and tackle poverty and inequality. The agricultural sector contributes about 3% to GDP and is responsible for nearly 900,000 jobs. “The looming alternative of the adoption of technology for farmers to reduce costs and remain afloat is becoming more attractive,” Agri SA executive director Christo van der Rheede said in response to the nearly 7% hike in the minimum wage to R23.19 an hour. He said with mechanisation leading to improvements in processes, productivity, and a reduction in labour intensity, this might prove devastating in a country with an unprecedented expanded unemployment rate of nearly 47%. “More concerning is the risk this presents to the employment of low-skilled workers,” Van der Rheede noted. The Department of Employment & Labour published the increase of the national minimum wage this week, which will be effective from 1 March. 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
Twelve of the 15 accused of police PPE fraud have pending criminal cases News24 reports that twelve out of 15 people accused of defrauding the police of more than R1.9 million through personal protective equipment (PPE) tenders have pending cases against them, the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court heard on Tuesday. Prosecutor Tilas Chabalala indicated: "When the offences were committed, the 12 accused were all out on bail on other matters, which are Schedule 5 offences. The State is opposing their bail.” The State indicated that it did not intend to oppose the bail applications of the other three accused. The 15 accused face charges of fraud, corruption, forgery, uttering and theft, assisting another person in benefiting from the proceeds of crime and acquiring or possessing or using the proceeds of unlawful activities. A task team appointed by the national police commissioner and the National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate arrested them. Their arrests emanated from the wide-ranging investigation into SAPS procurement and supply chain management. The investigation uncovered that numerous contracts were allegedly awarded for the benefit of third party front companies, which, in turn, facilitated kickbacks to senior SAPS officials. The hearing is continuing. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
After three years, N2 Express buses on track to resume Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha service this month IOL reports that after three years of terminated service, MyCiti’s N2 Express service is set to resume later this month. The fleet of 34 buses, which will connect Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha and the Cape Town CBD, are undergoing their final mechanical checks before roadworthy testing and licensing prior to the official relaunch of the service. Cape Town’s Mayco Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, visited the depot on Tuesday. Some 6,000 commuters from historically disadvantaged areas of Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha are set to benefit from the resumption of the service later this month, the exact date of which has yet to be determined and announced by Quintas. The fleet of buses are owned by Cape Town’s local government, however, they are managed and maintained by the N2 Company, which will operate the N2 Express route. For three years commuters were without the service after contracts were not renewed in 2019 due to a dispute among the route’s taxi industry shareholders. However, the City of Cape Town signed a new contract this year with the N2 Company, which is equally owned between taxi associations Lisekhonikamva from Khayelitsha, Route 6 from Mitchells Plain, and also bus company Golden Arrow. The signing of the contract has been described as a major achievement and vital for the return of the buses to Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha, which are located approximately 27-36km from Cape Town’s CBD. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Crispin Adriaanse at IOL
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