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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FSCA orders ANC to make monthly payments of R10m to staff provident fund to clear R86m contribution arrears BL Premium reports that the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has ordered the ANC staff provident fund to compel SA’s ruling party to settle about R86m in accumulated contribution arrears that it owes members of the fund. The authority signed an enforceable undertaking with the provident fund this month, requiring it to ensure that the ruling party pays R10m into the fund each month until its accumulated contribution arrears have been paid in full. The ANC staff provident fund is a defined contribution fund with about 535 members. “The onus on ensuring that there are no arrear contributions, and to consider appropriate action if there are such arrears, remains on the trustees of a fund,” the FSCA said in a statement on Wednesday. The provident fund must also ensure that the ANC pays outstanding insured death benefits that weren’t honoured by an unidentified insurer due to outstanding premium payments that weren’t made by the party. The fund is moreover required to provide monthly confirmation to the FSCA that the ANC is not making further deductions from employees’ salaries, if paid, as per amended fund rules. The enforceable undertaking further requires the provident fund to provide monthly updates to fund members on the status of the party’s contribution arrears. The fund must also report monthly to the FSCA on the status of the ANC’s contributions arrears and whether it is adhering to its obligations in line with its agreement with the fund. “We are aware of the FSCA’s action and the matter is being handled by the treasurer general [Paul Mashatile],” ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Garth Theunissen at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Financial watchdog says ANC must pay R10m a month to clear staff retirement fund arrears, at Fin24
One worker killed and three others injured as 'guards shoot at municipal workers' at Steve Tshwete municipality’s head office SowetanLive reports that one worker has been killed and three others injured at the Steve Tshwete local municipality's head office in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, after they were shot, allegedly by security guards employed by the council. “Four people have been hospitalised after they were shot by security guards at the Steve Tshwete local municipality. The police are on the scene dealing with the situation. According to our information, employees were shot after forcing their way inside the municipal buildings,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala. This came after the municipality was intending to suspend about 100 employees who have been on strike since Monday last week, demanding a salary increase. They want their employment scale to be upgraded to level five so that their salaries and benefits automatically improve. An employee noted: “We are employees here and we are allowed to enter the building but the security guards of the acting municipal manager decided to shoot at us. Employees heard that they were to be suspended and wanted to enter and get their letters of suspension but they shot at them.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mandla Khoza at TimesLive Three Free State security guards posted at Seeisoville Stadium in Maokeng mysteriously disappear while on duty The Citizen reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) in the Free State has called on the public to help them locate three security personnel members who “mysteriously” disappeared while on duty in Maokeng on Wednesday. According to the police, private security personnel posted at the Seeisoville Stadium in Maokeng arrived at the guard room to relieve the night shift staff at 05:30pm. “It was discovered that three female security personnel namely, Me Mamokgo Julia Tladi, 44, Me Gladys Masabata Motoai, 37, and Me Maletsatsi Mofokeng, 39, were nowhere to be found. Their cellphones, and personal belongings were found in the guard room,” the SAPS reported. Maokeng police were summoned to the scene and a search party was launched. “The search continues and so far investigators are following every lead to try and locate the missing women. They were last seen wearing black Isidingo Security uniform,” the SAPS indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen Government estimates only 48% of employers fully complied with Covid-19 workplace directives Fin24 reports that according to research revealed by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), only 48% of employers across the country complied fully with government's Covid-19 occupational health and safety guidelines aimed at keeping employees safe from the lethal virus. At a webinar hosted by Nedlac on Tuesday, the department also warned that the challenge was compounded by the strained capacity of the DEL’s inspectors to monitor occupational health and safety at all employers across the country. The government's Covid-19 occupational health and safety protocols were signed by DEL Minister Thulas Nxesi in 2020. These included requirements like adequate ventilation, access to hand sanitiser, masks, and screening procedures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in workplace environments where working remotely was not possible. DEL Deputy Minister Boitumelo Moloi reported: "A total of 4,783 inspections have been conducted during the five provincial mega-blitz inspections in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga. Of the 4,789 inspections, 52% of the workplaces were noncompliant and only 48% complied with the Covid-19 direction and other related regulations.” Moloi went on to say: "[This] is an opportunity not only to ensure that there is improved protection of workers from Covid-19 and similar respiratory infections, but also to chart a new way forward in respect of occupational health and safety in the workplace." Compensation Commissioner at the Department of Health, Dr Barry Kistnasamy, said while there was good progress in the supply of masks and hand sanitiser in workplaces, vaccinations remained a challenge. The webinar also served as the launching event for a programme by the DEL that will introduce virtual surveys and questionnaires for employers to submit, so easing pressure on in-person inspections. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Government warned to raise wage offer or face strike as ‘workers are ready to fight’ The Citizen writes that thousands of public service workers are willing to down tools across state departments, unless government comes up with a better offer when the parties return to negotiations at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) on Thursday. Unions said workers were “fed up and tired” as they’ve had no salary increase for the past three years. “We are going back on Thursday to hear whether they will improve on the 2%. Government’s engagement at the beginning was cordial and optimistic. They seemed like they were ready to hear us out. Until last week when they started somersaulting. Workers are ready to fight for what is due to them. If they have nothing to offer then it means negotiations will deadlock and go for conciliation. The lack of movement by the government will lead to a nationwide strike,” said Simon Hlungwani, convenor of the Cosatu affiliates participating in the negotiations. Reuben Maleka of the Public Servants Association (PSA) said his union would start balloting its members on Thursday on a strike. He added that the talks were “demoralising” after months of negotiations with government. The parties met on last Friday, when government tabled a revised offer of 2%, from an initial 1.5% plus a R1,000 minimum cash equivalent for all employees across all employment levels. Unions demanded 10% at the start of the wage talks and have since reduced that to 6.5%. Government has reiterated that the unions’ demand is unaffordable. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana recently indicated that he would be taking an active role in the wage negotiations, a move criticised by the PSA. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Getrude Makhafola at The Citizen (subscriber access only) Reserve Bank warns that above-inflation wage deals risk causing a price increase spiral BL Premium reports that deputy SA Reserve Bank (SARB) governor Kuben Naidoo warned MPs on Wednesday about worrying wage rises above the bank’s inflation target range of 3%-6%. He said they raised the prospect of a price spiral with second-round effects on inflation, which could call for tighter monetary policy. Unions are demanding a 6.5% pay rise for public servants and are undertaking a strike ballot this week. In the second quarter, the average wage settlements for sections of the manufacturing sector and the mining, transport and utilities sectors was 6.3%, with the highest of 7.3% being for the leather sector, followed by 7% for textiles and Eskom. Naidoo said the average rise in collective bargaining agreements in the latest Andrew Levy survey, which identifies trends in wage bargaining, was 6.1%. “We are beginning to see that wage increases are starting to be pegged slightly above the inflation target range and that is worrying. If salary increases are not compensated for by productivity gains, then that does lead to inflation, and that would require a stronger monetary policy response,” said Naidoo. The central bank, like others worldwide, has embarked on monetary tightening. Naidoo also expressed concern over the rise in inflation expectations, which could further stoke inflation. Naidoo reported that very low positive growth was forecast, with a contraction expected for the second quarter due to the mining strike, load-shedding and the floods in KwaZulu-Natal. Growth of 1.9% was recorded in the first quarter. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Cape Town Uber drivers stage two-day protest over safety and low minimum trip fees TimesLive reports that increasing petrol prices, poor safety for drivers and low minimum trip fees were among the main concerns for Uber drivers who marched in Cape Town on Wednesday. The drivers handed over a memorandum to Uber. They plan to protest for a second day on Thursday, this time to approach municipal officials. “I think one of the things on my mind now is the safety of the drivers that has never been taken seriously by these apps. In the past few years, it’s always the drivers who have been hijacked and robbed. And these platforms never take any initiative to help the drivers in terms of that,” said Siyabonga Hlabisa, chairperson of the Western Cape E-hailing Association. Igwi Aloni, Uber driver and entrepreneur, expressed his concern that the 30% commission he was charged was unaffordable. “You see the price of petrol is up, but Uber is still charging people 30% and, second, blocking other drivers [that are speaking out to media],” he stated. The memorandum was accepted by Ofentse Hlulani Mokwena, Uber SA’s head of public policy, who said the organisation had also received grievances from drivers in Gauteng. He indicated: “We don’t refuse to engage. That’s why we are here.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zukile Daniel at TimesLive Mathematics doesn’t build cars people do, marchers seeking jobs tell Ford Motor Company Pretoria News reports that people, and not mathematics, build cars at the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa in Pretoria. This was asserted by unemployed persons who marched from Mamelodi, Eersterust and Nellmapius on Tuesday to the carmaker and the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone to demand work opportunities. The group staged a similar march a few weeks ago. They reacted adversely to the company’s representative Shibishi Maruatona, who said many young people from the communities did not study maths as required at job-entry level. However, the protesters, led by Tshwane Bahlali Dudula, urged Ford to remove the pure mathematics prerequisite “because a majority of pupils in high schools in surrounding communities were not doing pure mathematics”. They argued that the requirement was not scientific and isolated young people from job opportunities. In their view, they could learn to build a car, operate machines and organise and deliver tools and equipment regardless of their maths skills. Maruatona upset the crowd when he told them that Ford, although employing a lot of people from local communities, did not have job opportunities at the moment. He said they were willing to work with the leaders to ensure they were involved in the recruitment when opportunities arose. Leader and march organiser, Khutso Smesh Semetjane, said they would not sign the document Maruatona read to them because they did not agree with what Ford was saying. The marchers did, however, sign an agreement with the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone. Its representative, Zama Ndebele, said they had heard the plight of the marchers and would work with them to create opportunities immediately. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by James Mahlokwane at Pretoria News. See too, Youths ask to get local jobs, on page 8 of The Citizen of 17 August 2022
Joseph Mathunjwa confirms unity talks between AMCU and NUM EWN reports that Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) leader Joseph Mathunjwa has confirmed that they are in unity talks with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). AMCU is a breakaway from the NUM and was formed when Mathunjwa was axed from the Cosatu affiliate. The two organisations have been rivals for prominence in SA’s mines since the registration of Amcu in 2001. Addressing workers at Tuesday’s tenth commemoration of the Marikana Massacre, Mathunjwa indicated that the time had come for the two organisations to bury the hatchet in the interest of workers’ rights and protection. Saying that change was on the horizon for workers as the NUM and Amcu were engaged in constructive talks with unity in mind, Mathunjwa stated: "As NUM, we are saying to them: 'Comrades, if there is any commonality to fight with the enemy, which is the white monopoly capital, we won't lose anything except the chains of oppression.'" Last week, NUM general secretary William Mabapa commented that the future of trade unions in the country was dependent on their ability to band together. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Theto Mahlakoana at EWN Operation Dudula women’s movement wants soldiers roped in to combat zama zamas TimesLive reports that Izimbokodo – a movement for women under the Operation Dudula banner – wants the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) to be deployed in areas where illegal mining is rife. On Wednesday, the group marched to the Department of Defence in Pretoria to call on the SANDF to help the police in combating zama zamas, whom they alleged were behind an assortment of other crimes besides illegal mining. The women marchers said SA was under siege and ordinary laws and government powers were no longer sufficient to restore peace and order in the country. The group expressed concerns over the issue of zama zamas, ongoing rapes and murders of women, the high rate of kidnapping and human trafficking and other crimes. They cited the recent incident when eight women were raped and robbed at a disused mine near Krugersdorp as an example. The attackers were alleged to be zama zamas. The group also demanded the mass deportation of illegal foreigners. The protestors gave Defence Minister Thandi Modise seven days to respond to their demands. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLive. Read too, Union cautions against call for police staff replacement over claims they’re ‘working with criminals’, at The Citizen Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Other general posting(s) relating to mining
‘Racial bust-up with black teacher was long coming’, says SAHRC SowetanLive writes that according to the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the heated exchange between a black teacher and a coloured parent at a school in Ennerdale, south of Johannesburg, is a symbol of rising tensions in the community that the government failed to address three years ago. The SAHRC has accused the Gauteng government of neglecting to implement its social cohesion recommendations made in 2019 to quell racial tensions in largely coloured communities. In the latest incident, a video showing a black teacher making racist comments to a coloured parent inside the classroom at Fred Norman Secondary School in Ennerdale circulated on social media this week. In the clip, the teacher can be heard saying: “I don’t like coloureds. I will never wake up liking coloureds like you. You guys are rude. You guys don’t have manners. As a woman, you come and scream at me here.” The teacher’s remarks have angered many coloured people in Ennerdale and neighbouring areas who are calling for the permanent removal of the educator. Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi visited the school and announced that the teacher had been put under suspension. SAHRC spokesperson Buang Jones said he was not surprised by the outrage caused by the Ennerdale incident. He said they had noted a worrying trend of racism in Region G, which includes Eldorado Park, Klipspruit, Lawley and Lenasia and which is dominated by coloured populations. “Region G is sitting on a ticking time bomb. The coloured people in Region G feel isolated. They are of the opinion that their areas are not provided with sufficient government services as compared to other areas. This view is fuelled by lack of social cohesion programmes in Region G. Government officials are also not visible enough in these areas,” said Jones. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bafana Nzimande at SowetanLive
Eight JMPD officers fired for fraud, corruption in first six months of 2022 EWN reports that eight Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers were axed for fraud and corruption in the first six months of this year, according to the department’s performance statistics released on Wednesday. The statistics were presented by JMPD director Mathokoza Kgaswane. He said the department had adopted a zero tolerance approach to fraud and corruption and added: “In the last six months, we’ve had 13 cases reported to internal affairs that are under investigation at various levels and within the very same period of six months we have dismissed eight employees”. Public Safety MMC David Tembe, who was also at the presentation, confirmed that the employees concerned were also facing criminal charges. “With regard to eight employees dismissed, yes they’ve been dismissed and they are facing criminal charges. It just takes some time,” he stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bernadette Wicks EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Proposed Gautrain expansion gets heavy flack at Gauteng portfolio committee meeting Engineering News reports that the proposed Gautrain expansion project was harshly criticised as a vanity project, a white elephant and a waste of government finances by members of the Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Roads and Transport, which convened on Tuesday to discuss its viability. The committee conducted a Focus Intervention Study (FIS) to investigate how the proposed expansion would address Gauteng’s public transport needs and challenges. The first phase of the Gautrain extension is proposed to cover the area from Little Falls to Cosmo City, through Randburg and Sandton, ending in Malboro. This phase was initiated in October 2018. Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) CEO William Dachs highlighted to the committee members the urgent need to address rapidly growing congestion on Gauteng’s road network by expanding the Gautrain network. However, numerous committee members argued that the existing Gautrain had failed to prove its value in decongesting the roads over the past decade, with some calling it a “failed project”. The reasons for this “failure” were attributed to several factors, among them ill-conceived placement of Gautrain stations, inadequate supporting public transport infrastructure and services and the perception that the service was not inclusive enough and that it failed to cater to lower-income groups. The most egregious criticism levelled against the Gautrain and any proposed expansion thereof was the issue of its high fare prices, compounded by additional costs incurred by consumers such as parking fees and supplementary public transport fees – such as taxi or bus fares. Read the full original of the informative report in the above regard at Engineering News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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