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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Fuel prices to rise to record highs on Wednesday BusinessLive reports that the pain for SA motorists will continue in July with fuel prices to reach new record levels on Wednesday. The price of 93 octane petrol will rise by R2.37/l and 95 octane by R2.57/l, with low sulphur 50ppm diesel to go up by R2.30/l and 500ppm by R2.31/l. Illuminating paraffin will rise by R2.21/l. The new retail price of a litre of 93 petrol will be R26.31 and 95 will cost R26.74 inland, while the inland wholesale price of 500ppm diesel will be R25.40 and 50ppm diesel will cost R25.53. The prices are nearly R10/l more than a year ago and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy attributes the hikes to average international prices for fuel increasing during the period under review. The government's temporary reduction in the general fuel levy is being halved in July, which will add to the increases. The temporary relief will be entirely withdrawn from 3 August. The AA noted: "There is a need to interrogate all the components of the fuel price, to determine whether all these components are still necessary in the existing formula, and to establish if the current calculations of these components are correct. The longer this review is not initiated, the longer the country will wait for lasting solutions.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Denis Droppa at BusinessLive. Read too, Fuel prices to surge to new record, as general levy relief is trimmed to 75c/l, at Engineering News. En ook, Styging in brandstofpryse gaan verbruikers looi – AA, by Maroela Media DA submits bill calling for deregulation of retail fuel sector BL Premium reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) wants parliament to fast-track the introduction of legislation to promote greater competition at fuel pumps and potentially put the brakes on crippling fuel price hikes. This comes amid fears that the cost-of-living crisis could spark civil unrest that could have a knock-on effect for political stability and investor confidence. There have been calls to fully deregulate the retail fuel industry, allowing retailers to set their own margins and compete on price. However, the Department of Mineral Resources & Energy says deregulation will happen over time and will come with restrictions. On Monday, the DA submitted its Fuel Price Deregulation Bill for processing by parliament’s legal services unit. DA MP and mineral resources & energy spokesperson Kevin Mileham said the primary objective of the bill was to deregulate the fuel sector to increase competition in price setting at both the wholesale and retail level, which would result in lower petrol prices for consumers. The bill seeks to amend the Petroleum Products Act to allow for businesses to implement “creative methods” of trading that may result in reduced petroleum prices. It will need the support of the ANC to pass. The Automobile Association (AA) recently requested a full review of the country’s fuel price calculations. But the Fuel Retailers Association recently said deregulation would compound the problems facing fuel retailers. “Deregulation is a buzzword in SA and is seen as a solution [to high fuel prices], which it really isn’t,” the association’s Reggie Sibiya opined. He referred to the UK, where the sector has been deregulated yet fuel prices continued to increase. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bekezela Phakathi at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Government under pressure to review fuel prices as motorists face another hike, at EWN Rocketing fuel prices set to drive SA interest rates sharply higher, with economy ‘heading for a technical recession’ Moneyweb writes that SA’s rocketing fuel prices are set to result in interest rate hikes rising for the rest of this year, further hurting the disposable income of consumers and the country’s teetering economic growth. This warning came from economists on Monday, following news of the latest fuel price hike for July, announced by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). Azar Jammine of Econometrix said the latest increase in the petrol price would certainly erode people’s disposable income and especially consumer spending. “Through that, it will result in lower economic growth. The petrol price increase is inflationary and therefore interest rates will go up for the rest of the year,” he said. Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt believes the inflation rate will soon hit 7.5%, leaving the SA Reserve Bank with no option but to hike interest rates by at least 50 basis points later this month. “The reality is that South Africa is heading for a technical recession (namely two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth),” he warned. The latest fuel increases has led to further calls from both the Automobile Association (AA) and the Motor Industry Staff Association (Misa) for a review of the country’s fuel pricing methodology. Misa CEO Martlé Keyter noted that there was no sense of urgency from government to review the fuel pricing methodology to bring relief to motorists against soaring fuel prices. She pointed out that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced as long ago as December last year that government would consider reforming the way the fuel price was calculated. “There is no time to waste… To make matters worse Eskom is plunging the country into unprecedented stages of blackouts, costing the crippled economy billions,” Keyter warned. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Roy Cokayne at Moneyweb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Unions' decision on Eskom’s revised wage increase offer expected on Tuesday Fin24 reports that after a weekend of marathon meetings with Eskom leadership to reach a wage agreement, labour is likely to emerge with a position on whether to accept the power utility's latest offer on Tuesday. The unions – the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and Solidarity – resumed wage negotiations on Friday after a deadlock in wage talks triggered wildcat protests at several Eskom plants, hindering vital maintenance work and plunging the country into Stage 6 load shedding. Eskom resumed wage talks with a revised offer of a 7% increase. The unions’ last demands stood at 10% in respect of the NUM, 12% for Numsa and 5.9% for Solidarity. The NUM’s Khangela Baloyi reported as follows on Monday: "We are meeting on Tuesday to finalise the wage agreement. We have a joint council with Numsa to consider the offer tomorrow morning [Tuesday]. Will probably know by tomorrow." Solidarity’s Helgarde Cronjé commented that the Eskom wage negotiations were at a critical stage and that it was in SA’s best interest that an agreement was reached between unions and Eskom to ensure labour stability and some sort of return to normal. "There is a drafted settlement agreement for the wage negotiations that NUM and Numsa have taken back to their members. Parties are meeting again tomorrow to give feedback. We trust you would understand the current sensitivity around the matter," Cronjé said. Meantime according to Baloyi, it was not clear as yet whether workers who were caught protesting at plants would face disciplinary action or dismissal as a result of disruptions to the electricity system. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Teacher assaulted by learner given green light by court to sue Mpumalanga education department GroundUp reports that a court ruling has paved the way for a teacher to sue the Mpumalanga Department of Education for R8-million for loss of earnings and damages after he was attacked in his classroom by a learner. The incident occurred at Bergvlam High School in Mbombela in March 2018. Richard Prinsloo suffered fractured ribs and injuries to his head and his eyes. He resigned, citing post-traumatic stress disorder. A video of the incident was aired on a local television news channel, showing the grade 10 learner repeatedly punching Prinsloo before being restrained by fellow learners. The incident was apparently sparked by remarks Prinsloo made to the learner regarding his mother who had recently died in a car accident. While Prinsloo laid a charge against the learner, this was later withdrawn by a magistrate who directed that the learner continue seeing a psychologist and attend an anger management programme. Prinsloo argued that the department had a duty to protect him and to give him support after the attack. Amongst other objections, the department took the view that Prinsloo should claim under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) because the injuries arose “out of and in the scope” of his employment. The Act, the department said, precluded him from suing the department. But Mbombela High Court Judge Takalani Ratshibvumo ruled against the department. Regarding the Compensation Act, the judge said: “The question rightly to be asked is whether the act causing the injury was a risk incidental to his employment. I am unable to see how an assault on a teacher on duty at school arises out of his employment … I cannot conceive of the risk of assault being incidental to teaching.” The main matter will now be set down for hearing. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tania Broughton at GroundUp Staff member at Skukuza golf club survives leopard attack Getaway reports that a staff member at the Skukuza Golf Club in Kruger National Park was attacked by a leopard outside his accommodation on 26 June. While details around the incident have not been confirmed yet, Skukuza Golf Club provided an update on 29 June via social media, stating: “Although the injuries sustained were serious, we are relieved to update our concerned members that he is set to make a full recovery.” The Club said it had ensured that the staff member was able to get the best care possible and that his family received the necessary emotional and financial support while he recovered. “The South African National Parks has also deployed a team to track the animal and guarantee the continued safety of all staff, members and guests,” the statement added. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by David Henning at Getaway. Lees ook, Werker oorleef luiperdaanval in Krugerwildtuin, by Maroela Media
CCMA ruling against mandatory workplace vaccinations may be the start of a long court battle TimesLive reports that a recent ruling by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has found a workplace mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy to be unlawful. It ordered that an employee’s dismissal for refusing to get vaccinated was unfair and awarding her a year’s salary as compensation. However, Advocate Vusi Masango, who represented Kgomotso Tshatshu against Baroque Medical, said on Monday he feared her CCMA victory might be the start of a long court battle, potentially holding up payment to his client. “This is going to be an important matter. The chances are it is going to be reviewed at the labour court,” he opined. Tshatshu had an adverse reaction to a flu vaccination a decade ago and was resistant to taking Covid-19 vaccines. This was in conflict with her company’s mandatory vaccination policy. Senior CCMA commissioner Richard Byrne found: “An employer has no right to formulate any Covid-19 vaccination mandate. It is the prerogative of government … The state has not unfairly discriminated against anyone in terms of vaccine policies. No legislation has been passed requiring all employees or citizens be vaccinated … the right to issue any law of general application in respect of Covid-19 vaccinations rests with the government.” He found that the company’s rule regarding vaccinations was therefore unreasonable and that the dismissal was substantively unfair — in fact, unconstitutional. But law firm ENS Africa noted that the CCMA ruling was in contrast with a previous ruling by another commissioner relating to the same employer and the same mandatory vaccination policy. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at BusinessLive. Read too, Woman retrenched for refusing Covid-19 vaccine wins her CCMA case - gets a year salary, at IOL. En ook, KVBA-uitspraak oor inenting maak opslae, by Maroela Media
DA to protest over BELA Bill EWN reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) says it will take to the streets to protest against the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA Bill), which it claims is an attack on mother tongue education. The party has vowed to hold demonstrations outside the office of Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi on Tuesday. The BELA Bill proposes changes to the South African Schools Act, one of which seeks to hand control to the education department in determining a school's language policy, curriculums, the prohibition of corporal punishment and initiation practices. The Bill was introduced in Parliament in January but has been criticised, with some arguing that it would give Education Minister Angie Motshekga extraordinary powers to override school governing bodies. The DA's Khume Ramulifho said the party was not in favour of the ANC taking over schools and school language policy. However, Lesufi has hit out at critics of the bill and called on the public to endorse it. He said it was a possible solution to the racial divide in schools, especially around language policies, discipline and rehabilitation of pupils with behavioural problems. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Maki Molapo at EWN
Gauteng health department claims no nurses 'due for retrenchment', as more than 50 trainee nurses await salaries News24 reports that the Gauteng Department of Health has denied reports that it is retrenching nurses. On Sunday, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) accused the department of planning to retrench nurses. The union also accused the department of ill-treating nurses and threatened to down tools after the department failed to pay the salaries of trainee nurses. "Denosa in Gauteng strongly condemns this inhumane and heartless conduct meted [out to] nurses by the department. Young nurses haven't been paid their salaries for nearly a quarter of a year," Denosa spokesperson Simphiwe Gada said. Gada advised that the union was planning a mass demonstration and would lobby other unions. Gauteng health department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba reacted: “The department can confirm that no nurses are due for retrenchment. All the professional community service nurses for the 2021-22 financial year will be retained and appointed permanently. The process to effect the appointments is under way. Post-community service nurses and the community service nurses whose salary payments have been outstanding, the matter has been resolved.” According to Modiba, forty-five of the just more than 50 trainee nurses affected were due to be paid on Monday, while the mandates of seven others needed to be corrected and their salaries would be urgently processed upon the related administrative issues having been addressed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24
Debt stalks workers who haven't received salaries for up to months at four Free State municipalities SowetanLive reports that unpaid workers at four dysfunctional Free State municipalities say they are on the cusp of losing their assets as they battle to make ends meet and support their families. At least 1,700 employees of the Mafube, Masilonyana, Tokologo and Kopanong local municipalities have not been paid, some for up to three months, and some of them are sinking deeper into debt and losing out on their medical aid benefits. Masilonyana, which covers towns such as Brandfort, Soutpan and Theunissen, and Tokologo, whose towns include Boshof and Dealesville, were identified by auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke as being among those that could not deliver services to residents. Mafube in Frankfort and Masilonyana have not been able to pay workers since May, while June marked the third time Kopanong had not done so. Tokologo has not paid councillors and managers for two months, while other workers did not get salaries last month. All these municipalities have been placed under administration, with Masilonyana having an administrator since 2017. Provincial department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) spokesperson Sello Dithebe blamed the financial crisis on the corruption and maladministration that has been taking place for years. He indicated: “These municipalities had very poor or no controls in place, and would indeed have been adversely affected by lack of skills and things being done without adherence to National Treasury regulations and the MFMA [Municipal Finance Management Act].” Dithebe said a team has been set up to look into the finances of the four municipalities and find a way to turn around the situation. The plight of the workers has forced the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in the province to call for urgent intervention from the provincial government as its members were now living in debt. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Penwell Dlamini & Nomazima Nkosi at SowetanLive
Mourning parent of stillborn child says he was robbed of GEPF death benefit Pretoria News reports that a North West court manager whose girlfriend had a stillborn child has accused the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) of refusing to pay out money meant for a mourning parent. Like any contributing member to the GEPF, Martin Mboshane is entitled to the benefit for a stillborn child, but claims he has been sent from pillar to post. "I have been working for the Department of Justice for over 15 years … I began contributing to the fund in 2007 but today I am being treated like a nobody. I wonder how many other public servants are treated in this way," said Mboshane. His girlfriend gave birth to a stillborn child in April this year. He made the claim in May and submitted all the required documents at the GEPF’s offices in Rustenburg. “I did everything they asked by submitting claim forms, a DHA (Department of Home Affairs) form for verification of citizen status, a death certificate, and the mother’s affidavit to confirm paternity as we are not married. I also submitted proof of pregnancy from the doctor. This is supposed to take 72 hours but it has been months,” said Mboshane, who added that he was subjected to rude remarks from staff working in the GEPF office. Media relations officer at GEPF, Katlego Tselapedi, said they would get to the bottom of the matter and would contact Mboshane directly for details about his complaint. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Pretoria News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
City of Cape Town pursues reinstatement of joint rail enforcement unit Engineering News reports that the City of Cape Town is keen to help revive the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) rail enforcement unit (REU), which operated as a three-way government partnership between October 2018 and July 2020. The REU was launched by then Minister of Transport Blade Nzimande at a cost of R48-million. National government, the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town each contributed a third of the unit’s funding needs, while the city also provided an additional 100 city law enforcement officers to the existing security personnel in an effort to help address Metrorail’s security needs. Over the years, the passenger rail network has experienced a strong decline because of rampant vandalism by organised syndicates. The sharpest increase in vandalism was seen during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The unit was an effective deterrent against vandalism – it conducted inspections at hot spot areas and scrapyards; recovered stolen cables and goods; and made arrests for the possession of stolen goods, drugs, assault and malicious damage to property,” Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis pointed out. The REU also delivered an immediate improvement in the safety of Metrorail commuters. “The city believes the revival of the unit will be a meaningful intervention that has previously been shown to work, and that it will have a positive impact on safeguarding the network. We are engaging Prasa at the moment about this,” Hill-Lewis advised. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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