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, 25 February 2022.
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Constitutional Court to rule on Monday on non-implementation of final leg of 2018 public sector wage deal BL Premium reports that after five months of waiting, the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) will on Monday deliver its judgment on the government’s controversial decision to renege on aspects of the wage agreement reached with public sector unions in 2018. In a document to the Public Sector Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), the court's registrar indicated that judgment would be handed down electronically and circulated to the parties’ legal representatives by email. The unions — including the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), and the Public Servants Association (PSA) — approached the top court in August 2021 to challenge a ruling by the Labour Appeal Court in 2020, upholding a Treasury decision not to implement the final leg of a three-year public-sector wage deal due to lack of money. Implementing the final year of the three-year agreement would have cost R38bn while the government is trying to rein in public spending and slash the ballooning wage bill. The unions told the ConCourt that the government could no longer be trusted to fulfil its contractual obligations and that the non-implementation of the agreement jeopardised the bargaining process. Meantime, a public sector labour summit will take place from 28 to 30 March for stakeholders to engage on issues aimed at “building a sustainable public service and remuneration guidelines”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Finance Minister faces uphill battle in cutting public sector wage bill Daily Maverick writes that writes that Enoch Godongwana’s first main budget as the recently appointed finance minister underscores that he has a tough job ahead in cutting, or what he prefers to call “restructuring”, the ballooning public sector remuneration bill. The total cost of remunerating SA’s public servants is still heading in the wrong direction as it continues to rise and crowd out the government’s spending on things like crucial service delivery. From March 2022, Godongwana and Ayanda Dlodlo, the public service and administration minister, will begin negotiations with trade unions representing public servants about salary/remuneration adjustments for this year. A showdown is expected because trade unions will probably expect above-inflation salary increases, while the government doesn’t want to implement increases because it wants to reduce the remuneration bill. Godongwana’s 2022 budget shows that it will be a long time before the remuneration bill decreases. In the next three years, the public sector remuneration bill will fluctuate and resemble a rollercoaster ride. In a press briefing on 23 February, Godongwana said the government was no longer prepared to enter into costly multi-year salary increase agreements with public servants. He asked trade unions to moderate their salary adjustment expectations in 2022 because public finances are weak. Failing this, Godongwana issued the threat of reducing headcounts, through retrenchments. Meantime, trade unions that have taken the government to the Constitutional Court to force it to implement inflation-beating salary increases in 2020 of more than 5% that were promised by the government in 2018 but were never implemented. A ruling is expected on Monday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ray Mahlaka at Daily Maverick Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Natu concerned about lack of safety and security in schools The Star reports that the National Teachers Union (Natu) has expressed concern about safety and security at SA schools. Acting Natu president Sibusiso Malinga said: “Our schools have become the targets, criminals are getting into schools and demand purses and cellphones from poor defenceless educators.” According to Malinga, the random shooting and killing of teachers have been common. “One is afraid that should the employer ignore the issue of tight security at the workplace, teachers might not execute their duties to the best of their ability. They might not even organise extra classes in the morning, afternoons and over the weekends. This will negatively impact the results at the end of the year,” the acting president said. The union has called for safety and tight security in schools as was the case with other government departments such circuit courts, district offices, clinics, the Department of Home Affairs and the offices of departmental officials. “There are armed security personnel not just gate openers and closers (at other departments), which is a shame with schools. It is a responsibility for the employer to make the workplace safe for employees and for the poor children in schools,” said Malinga Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chulumanco Mahamba on page 2 of The Star of 25 February 2022 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Clover worker who refused to join strike fears for life as protestors hit close to home Sunday Times reports that S'busiso Gumede (not his real name) knew his refusal to join the Clover strike would anger some colleagues, but he never thought it would lead to death threats, his home being set alight and him having to go into hiding with his wife and children. The machine operator has worked for Clover, in Olifantsfontein, Gauteng, for 15 years. The strike, over planned retrenchments and salary cuts for some workers, began in November last year and is now the second-longest strike in SA, after a five-month strike on the platinum belt in 2014. It has been characterised by extreme violence. Last week, a video emerged showing striking workers pelting security guards with bricks. Terence Tegg, who worked for Personal Protection Services, was killed and two other guards are in hospital with serious injuries. Two suspects appeared in court last week. In January, another security guard was killed, allegedly by striking Clover workers in Midrand. No arrests have been made. The Food and Allied Workers Union and the General Industries Workers Union of SA have distanced themselves from the violence, denying that their members were involved. But Gumede disagrees and lamented: “These people destroyed everything that I have worked for all my life. We are in a safe place for now, but this is not how we want to live.” Gumede said he had chosen not to take part in the strike because he did not want to default on his financial obligations. Clover spokesperson Steven Velthuysen said the strikers were becoming more violent. He indicated that Clover had offered to help employees who were being victimised. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Belinda Pheto at Sunday Times (subscriber access only) Tshwane driving licence centres affected this weekend by ongoing strike by driving schools EWN reports that driving licence centres in Tshwane were set to be closed over this past weekend due to the ongoing strike by driving schools. Driving schools around the city downed tools from Thursday, bringing traffic to a standstill between Olifantsfontein Road and New Road in Midrand. They called on government to scrap the Natis booking system. Areas expected on Saturday and Sunday to be affected were Waltloo, Akasia, Centurion and Bronkhorstspruit. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Dominic Majola at EWN
Police foil attempt by truck drivers on Sunday afternoon to block N3 in Spruitview area TimesLive reports that an attempt by truck drivers to block the N3 highway in the Spruitview area in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, was foiled on Sunday afternoon. Kobeli Mokheseng of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) said a complaint of trucks blocking the freeway was received just before 2pm. He indicated further: “When we sent out our EMPD officers they found that the SA Police Service was on site and they were clearing the scene. It seems like truck drivers were making an attempt to close the N3 freeway between Leondale and Heidelberg. But they didn’t succeed because law enforcement was nearby and they attended to it.” Mokheseng was unaware of the truck drivers' grievances as the EMPD did not interview them. On Friday, All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA (ATDF ASA) secretary-general Sifiso Nyathi confirmed that some drivers were planning a shutdown on Sunday over the hiring of foreign truck drivers. The N2 and N3 highways have been targeted in past protests. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Nivashni Nair at TimesLive Zimbabwean truckers want to sue ‘xenophobic’ movement leaders, but can’t find them Moneyweb reports that legal representatives for the Zimbabwean Truckers Association say they are trying to serve papers on the leaders of the Operation Dudula (‘Push away’) movement to stop them intimidating and harassing foreigners, but cannot locate them. The Dudula movement has alarmed foreigners in South Africa to the point where a number of African embassies are understood to have urged the government to rein in a disturbing xenophobic streak that has resurfaced in the country in recent months, egged on by politicians. The legal papers are ready to be served on the leaders of Operation Dudula, but identifying and locating them has so far been easier said than done. The truckers association wants the court to interdict the organisers of Operation Dudula from harassing and intimidating its members and their families. The association has also condemned the police’s handling of the Operation Dudula marches, by not advising affected members of the public, including foreign nationals and their employers, of the details of intended marches before they took place. “Our instructions are now to take legal action against the SA Police Services (Saps) for failing to protect foreign nationals, as they are obligated to do, as well as their employers, during Operation Dudula,” the association’s lawyer reported. Zimbabwean truckers working in SA say they have suffered years of xenophobic abuse, resulting in 200 of their colleagues having been murdered. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ciaran Ryan at Moneyweb
Women miners remain drastically underrepresented The Citizen reports that the 13th Women in Mining Conference and Career Expo, which took place at the Indaba Hotel last week, explored ways to increase women’s representation in the mining industry. At least 12% of the country’s miners are women. According to the Minerals Council SA, the number of women working in the mining sector has increased significantly in the past 15 years or so, from around 11,400 in 2002 to some 53,000 in 2015, increasing to 54,154 in 2018. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy acknowledged women’s exclusion and inequality in the mining and mineral industries as a global problem despite the efforts made worldwide. “Women are excluded in employment, business, and at the community level. When women participate in the mining sector, they are given limited support,” said Deputy Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabinde. A series of studies by the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) on the state of inclusion at some SA mining companies, revealed that the mining industry had clearly struggled to promote gender transformation because men still dominated decision-making levels of employment. “It is clear, that, women experience a lack of career advancement, discrimination in decision making, remuneration and general abuse in the mining sector. This needs to change,” said Nkabinde. Some of the key challenges that prevent women from entering the mining and mineral value chain include the following: access to finance; gender bias; lack of market access; lack of information on existing opportunities; poor or limited networking opportunities; inadequate role models; and lack of business skills and education. Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Narissa Subramoney at The Citizen Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Petrol to cost more than R21 a litre for the first time from Wednesday BL Premium reports that the relief of SA motorists at the government not raising fuel taxes has been short-lived. Fuel prices will hit record highs in March, with petrol to cost more than R21 a litre for the first time. On Wednesday, both grades of petrol will rise by R1.46, with 95 unleaded to cost R21.60 and 93 unleaded R21.35 a litre in Gauteng, the department of mineral resources & energy announced at the weekend. At the coast, 95 unleaded will rise to R20.88/l. The wholesale price of diesel will get a hefty hike of R1.44 for 500 ppm sulphur and R1.48 for 50 ppm sulphur this week and will now cost R19.49 and R19.55, respectively. These are also record prices for diesel. Illuminating paraffin will rise R1.21 to R13.19/l compared with R8.45 a year ago. Mineral resources & energy minister Gwede Mantashe cited increased international fuel prices as the main reason for the hikes, with the crude oil price increasing from $93 to $96.47 a barrel during the period under review. In his recent budget speech Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said he and Mantashe had agreed to review all aspects of the fuel price, a decision that was welcomed by the AA, which has been lobbying for such a move. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Denis Droppa at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, As SA fuel prices hit record highs, AA warns of further pain due to Ukraine invasion, at Fin24
Court approves windfall for insolvent Denel of about R1bn held in medical aid trust BL Premium reports that public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan announced last week that technically insolvent state-owned arms manufacturer Denel would have access to about R1bn in medical aid funds held in a trust. The Pretoria High Court ruled on Thursday that Denel could access the surplus funds held in the Denel Medical Benefit Trust provided the welfare and wellbeing of its members were provided for. Denel had to apply to court for a variation of the trust deed to change the use to which trust assets could be utilised. The trust’s assets exceed its actuarially valued liabilities by a significant amount. Denel applied to court for access to the funds in the trust in return for offering trust beneficiaries an annuity. The trust was set up to pay the postretirement medical fund contributions of former employees employed before 2002 who opted not to switch to a new medical aid scheme. Acting group CEO William Hlakoane said on Friday that about 70% to 80% of the beneficiaries had accepted the offer, with the remainder not rejecting it but being uncontactable. The beneficiaries’ postretirement medical aid contributions will in future be funded by annuity payments under the group life annuity policy held by the trust. The trustees and trade union Uasa did not oppose the court application. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole bows out ‘by mutual agreement’ and ‘in the best interests of the country’ Daily Maverick reports that National Commissioner Khehla John Sitole will vacate his position on 31 March 2022 ‘by mutual agreement’, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office has announced. The termination of Sitole’s contract, said the president’s acting spokesperson Tyrone Seale, was “in the best interests of the country”. Sitole vacates the position after a scathing judgment handed down on 13 January 2021 by Judge Norman Davis in the Gauteng High Court. It was found that Sitole and his two deputies, Francinah Vuma and Lebeoana Tsumane, had placed the interests of the governing party, the ANC, ahead of those of the country. This was in relation to the National Commissioner’s three-year attempt to thwart an Ipid investigation into the attempted procurement of a surveillance “grabber” at the inflated price of R45-million prior to the ANC’s elective conference at Nasrec in December 2017. In November 2017, a month after his appointment by President Jacob Zuma, Sitole found himself at a meeting at the Courtyard Hotel in Pretoria where the R45-million grabber deal was discussed. Sitole cancelled the deal later when he was tipped off by Ipid investigators but it was this meeting that ultimately sealed his demise after a long career in the SAPS. More generally, he faced a turbulent time in office. Ramaphosa’s office said an announcement would be made in due course on filling the position of SAPS national commissioner. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marianne Thamm at Daily Maverick. Read too, ‘In the country’s interests’, Ramaphosa removes police commissioner Khehla Sitole ‘by mutual agreement', at BusinessLive. And also, The real reason police commissioner Khehla Sitole was given his marching orders was political, at Sunday Times (subscriber access only)
Gauteng health department has 18 senior jobs open, with two having been empty for over 10 years EWN reports that the Gauteng Health Department has revealed that 18 senior provincial posts remain vacant, with two of those having been left empty for more than 10 years. Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi made the admission in a reply to a question from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng Legislature. Mokgethi said the position of senior human resource manager in the Directorate of Health Information Management and Technology had not been filled for 11 years and 9 months. The DA raised concerns about key posts that have had acting personnel for more than two years. The party stressed that with millions of South Africans looking for work, it wasn’t fair that some positions had been left vacant for years. The party called for all senior posts to be filled with ethical and competent people. Mokgethi apparently gave an assurance most of these posts would be filled by April or May this year. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Dominic Majola at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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