In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Four-day Public Service Summit begins on Monday amid growing distrust Fin24 reports that the four-day Public Service Summit commenced on Monday, with public servants setting the tone by chanting "Asinamali" [We have no money]. The workers, whose relationship with the government has come under strain after years of rising tension over wages, said the collective bargaining process in the public sector was under attack. The Summit comes after the Constitutional Court ruled at the beginning of March that government did not have to pay the increases in terms of the final leg of the public sector wage agreement reached in 2018. National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) president Mike Shingange said government's move to renege on the agreement, and the Court's decision to side with it, meant the future of collective bargaining agreements was no longer guaranteed and salary negotiations under the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) could be rendered futile. According to Shingange, even the future of PSCBC as a negotiating forum was at stake. "We are here to defend collective bargaining as a process, to ensure that the outcomes of negotiations at the PSCBC don't end up being vetoed by Treasury," he explained. Public Service and Administration minister Ayandla Dlodlo said the government knew that trust had been broken but it believed there was still a relationship to salvage with labour, with prospects of moving towards understanding each other better. Dlodlo said the government was not attacking collective bargaining as it too believed that collective bargaining must be defended, and where there were limitations, they must be addressed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Londiwe Buthelezi at Fin24 Popcru withdraws its participation at Public Service Summit EWN reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has withdrawn its participation at the Public Service Summit in Johannesburg. The gathering, initiated by National Treasury and other government departments, is meant to set a roadmap for the public service wage bill, which the state is desperate to curtail. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Department of Public Service and Administration Minister Ayanda Dlodlo are leading the talks at the summit, which last until Wednesday. However, Popcru, which represents over 150,000 public employees, said the summit was nothing but a perception management process by the employer and asserted that no tangible results would emanate from the meeting. In a statement, the union explained that the summit was meant to create what it described as a false impression that relations between the employer and workers were good despite what it said was the continued victimisation of workers. Last year, Popcru and Nehawu refused to sign the public service wage agreement in protest against the non-implementation of the last leg of the 2018 deal. The government has since won a Constitutional Court case which was initiated by the unions to challenge the non-implementation decision. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Theto Mahlakoana at EWN
Moderna Covid-19 booster shot to be offered to 10,000 SA health workers Bloomberg News reports that Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine will be offered as a booster to some South African health workers, who received either one or two shots of Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J’s) inoculation as part of a vaccine trial involving almost half a million people. Glenda Gray, the co-lead of J&J’s vaccine trials in SA and president of the SA Medical Research Council, confirmed that the Moderna shot would be offered to 10,000 health workers in a trial known as Sherpa which was likely to start in the second half of April. The aim of the study, which will target participants in the earlier Sisonke trial, is to compare how well the Moderna shot works in comparison to Pfizer’s shot as a boost. Pfizer’s inoculation is being offered as a booster by the SA government. Sherpa, which is being run by Moderna and the SAMRC, is the second vaccine trial that Moderna will undertake in SA. The Ubuntu trial stretches across eight African nations and is designed to determine the vaccine’s efficacy in people infected with HIV. SA has seen coronavirus cases plunge, but its test positivity rate has stuck stubbornly above 5%, indicating that the virus is still circulating. Another wave of infections is expected in about May, according to Gray. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Antony Sguazzin at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
EFF defies interdict against march on Monday, calls for Tshwane to reinstate 600 workers 'inappropriately' terminated TimesLive reports that the EFF's Tshwane branch has called on the City of Tshwane to reinstate and back pay 600 waste and capacity workers whose contracts were ended in October 2020. The group marched to the city office on Monday despite the High Court in Pretoria having granted the city an urgent interdict against the march on Monday morning. The court ruled that the EFF’s march was illegal and instructed marchers to immediately disperse. Leading the march, EFF Gauteng spokesperson Philip Makwala said: “We are here to demand that the municipality comply with the local bargaining council award that all 600 workers must be reinstated and be given their monies for 16 months.” On the court interdict, he said: “The city [was] issued an interdict around 9 to 9:30am and our march was supposed to commence at 10am. Only when we were there did we see on our phones [the] interdict.” Makwala gave the city seven days to meet their demands and said failure to do so would result in them mobilising all branches in Gauteng and heading to the municipality. Tshwane mayor Randall William commented: “The EFF is a political party and yet it feels it can manipulate labour processes in the city to drive its own political agenda. However, today the high court ruled in the city’s favour and agreed with our view that political parties are not allowed to drive their own agendas by masquerading as trade union representatives on behalf of ex-employees.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLive. Read too, Court interdicts planned Tshwane march by EFF at eleventh hour, at The Citizen. En ook, Tshwane bekom interdik teen EFF-staking, by Maroela Media Tshwane interdicts dead, suspended workers from engaging in unprotected Samwu strike Pretoria News reports that the late Tshwane municipal worker Walter Mnguni, who died three months ago, was among the workers who were last week interdicted by the metro from engaging in an unprotected strike. The SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) expressed shock that Mnguni was named together with other Samwu-affiliated workers in one of the annexures submitted to the Labour Court by the metro. One official, Phillip Sebata, who has been on suspension for two years, was also interdicted for being on strike. Regional Samwu chairperson Nkhetheni Muthavhi added: “There are people who went on pension. Others have been dismissed while others have resigned, but yet they were interdicted. People who have been at the Pretoria power station who have been at work have been interdicted.” Last week Mayor Randall Williams announced that at least 19 workers fingered for participating in the illegal strike had been issued with notices of intention to terminate their contracts. Workers were given until last Thursday to furnish the City with reasons why they should not be dismissed. However, Williams said the court on Thursday granted the City a contempt of court order against striking workers and the leadership of the Samwu to stop the unlawful strike. For almost two weeks, some workers have been on an unprotected strike, disrupting service delivery and intimidating their colleagues from rendering services to residents. Regarding accusations that officials who were either on suspension, dismissed or dead were interdicted, chief of staff Jordan Griffiths said: “If Samwu wishes to dispute the information in the City’s court papers then they should have made representation in the court on Thursday which they didn’t.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Rapula Moatshe at Pretoria News
NUM reports that Petra Diamonds to cut 150 jobs at cash negative Koffiefontein mine Miningmx reports that according to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), Petra Diamonds is planning to cut 150 jobs at its Koffiefontein mine in Free State. “The NUM Kimberley Region can confirm that it had received Section 189 notice of restructuring/retrenchments from the Koffiefontein Diamond Mine. The company is reporting that approximately 150 jobs may or are impacted by this restructuring or retrenchment,” the union indicated in a statement. Petra Diamonds has yet to confirm the union’s advice. The UK-listed firm said in February it had turned the corner following a revival in rough diamond prices, as well as self-help efforts aimed at reducing net debt. “With the strong recovery in the diamond market and the actions we have taken, Petra is now also well placed for the future,” said CEO Richard Duffy. Commenting on Koffiefontein, the producer indicated in its interim results presentation that the mine was expected to reach its end of life in depleting available reserves by the firm’s 2025 financial year. A restructuring was among the possibilities for the mine given it was losing money. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx Sibanye-Stillwater announces three senior management appointments Mining Weekly reports that precious and battery metals miner Sibanye-Stillwater has made several senior management appointments, which it says will enhance delivery and strategic focus. Thabisile Phumo has been appointed EVP of stakeholder relations South Africa, effective 1 April, reporting to chief social performance officer Themba Nkosi. Phumo joined Sibanye in 2014 and has 21 years’ experience in the mining industry. She started out in corporate communications and then branched into corporate affairs and stakeholder relations. James Wellsted has been appointed EVP of investor relations and corporate affairs, effective 1 April, reporting to CEO Neal Froneman. Wellsted is noted as having been an integral part of the Sibanye leadership team since joining the group in 2013. Kleantha Pillay has been appointed EVP of sales and marketing, effective 1 April, reporting to COO Richard Stewart. Pillay joined Sibanye as VP of marketing in May 2019, with responsibility for building the platinum group metal (PGM) sales and marketing function in SA and facilitating the company’s entry into the market. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly
Fight for soul of Saftu is on as member unions threaten court action over suspension of top officials SowetanLive reports that embattled trade union federation Saftu is set to face a legal battle over its decision to suspend four of its six national office bearers after it accused them of bringing the federation into disrepute. Saftu's national executive committee (NEC) said the union's president Mac Chavalala, second deputy president Thabo Matsose, deputy general secretary Moleko Phakedi and national treasurer Motshwari Lecogo orchestrated the suspension of general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi earlier this month over accusations of abusing the federation’s credit card, among other things. The NEC has reversed that decision and accused the four officers of acting outside of their powers in a bid to target Vavi. The internal battle for the control of the federation comes as Saftu prepares for its national elective congress scheduled for 22 May, with Vavi seeking a second term. But his bid does not enjoy the backing of the federation’s biggest affiliate, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and its general secretary Irvin Jim. Apparently, four unions are planning to wage a legal battle against the decision to suspend the four officials, as they insist that they acted in line with the federation’s disciplinary code and procedures by instituting suspension proceedings against Vavi. Numsa, the SA Policing Union (Sapu), the Municipal and Allied Trade Union of SA (Matusa) and the SA Industrial Commercial and Allied Workers Union (Saicwu) are the unions pushing against the decision. The suspension of the four officials is set to be indefinite as the federation has no plans to hold a central committee meeting before its national elective conference, where their terms would end. Only the Saftu central committee can institute disciplinary action against federation officials. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siviwe Feketha at SowetanLive
Consumer inflation set to continue rising Engineering News reports that professional services firm PwC’s ‘South Africa Economic Outlook’ report, released in March, provides a perspective on the local impact – specifically on inflation and economic growth – of disruption stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sanctions imposed against Russia as a result. PwC says the local inflation outlook has deteriorated as international commodity prices rise following the invasion of Ukraine. SA’s consumer price inflation moderated from 5.9% year-on-year in December 2021 to 5.7% year-on-year in both January and February – though the latest numbers remained near the top end of the 3% to 6% range targeted by the SA Reserve Bank (SARB). The report notes that inflation risks have escalated over the past month given global commodity market developments. PwC expects inflation to average 5.2% this year under its baseline scenario, from a mean of 4.6% in 2020. However, if international market developments remain unfavourable deep into the second half of the year, average inflation could increase to 5.9% for this year. The report highlights that the SARB Monetary Policy Committee warned on 24 March that SA’s commodity price basket is forecast to rise by 8% for the year as a whole. On the energy front, PwC notes that South Africans already paid R1.46 a litre more for petrol this month, with the risk of a similar increase in April. In terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the report highlights an uneven recovery from the pandemic-hit 2020, with agriculture and financial services performing the best. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Salary payment struggles continue for Census 2022 staff IOL reports that Statistics SA is still facing woes over its failure to fully pay staffers recruited for the Census 2022 campaign. Last week, frustrated census field workers and supervisors picketed outside the organisation’s headquarters in Pretoria where they delivered a memorandum of demands. These included their call for Stats SA to provide answers on their contracts and remuneration. On Monday, field workers confirmed that some had received their salaries, but not in full. "I personally have not been paid. We were supposed to be paid on March 25 and they gave us excuses. Even today we did not receive any communication from Stats SA," said one field worker. Another field worker added that they had been calling the Stats SA offices to enquire about the salaries, but calls were not being answered. Stats SA spokesperson Trevor Oosterwyk, who was sent questions last week regarding the payments, said he was unaware of the issue as he had been on leave. Oosterwyk, however, agreed to respond to the questions sent to him as soon as he had full information on the salary payments. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kamogelo Moichela at IOL
CEO of estate agent watchdog suspended for pension and appointment ‘irregularities’ BusinessLive reports that the CEO of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority, Mamodupi Mohlala, has been placed on precautionary suspension. The authority’s board chair, Steven Ngubeni, announced the decision on Monday. The suspension comes after allegations of financial and appointment irregularities. Mohlala, who was appointed in February 2019, was suspended on Friday. The suspension will be in effect until the conclusion and findings of an investigation by an independent forensic investigator. The board has appointed Deli Nkambule, the authority’s legal manager and enforcement and compliance executive, as acting CEO. Board member Pamela Makhubela said the allegations against Mohlala related to the alleged suspension and loss of pension fund payments and irregular employee appointments. In 2021 the pension funds adjudicator tribunal found that Mohlala had allegedly disregarded pension fund scheme rules after issuing instructions for the suspension of a number of employees’ pension fund contribution deductions. Asked how much money was involved, Makhubela declined to elaborate, but added: “All I can say is it is a significant amount, which we cannot afford not to get back.” The irregular appointments related to a number of people “in junior, mid-level and senior posts”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Graeme Hosken at BusinessLive
Solidarity to lay fraud charges against Jacob Zuma and 18 others Engineering News reports that Solidarity will be laying charges of corruption, theft, fraud and mismanagement of state funds against 19 alleged state capturers, including former president Jacob Zuma, at the Brooklyn Police Station on Tuesday. The trade union’s chief executive Dr Dirk Hermann said the criminal charges would follow the reports and recommendations by the state capture commission, led by Justice Raymond Zondo, which revealed how state funds were misused for personal gain. Solidarity indicated that the charges would focus on the institutions and people that caused major damage to workers and to its members, and would include former South African Airways chairperson Dudu Myeni, former Transnet and Eskom head Brian Molefe, former Denel chairperson Daniel Mantsha and former Denel chief executive Zwelakhe Ntsepe. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Engineering News. See too, Solidarity to lay charges against Zuma and others implicated in state capture, at The Citizen. En ook, Kriminele aanklagte kom teen Zuma, Molefe en kie, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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