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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Nedlac issues new code on practical guidance for consideration of Section 77 strikes over socio-economic issues Business Insider SA reports that the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) on Friday published a code of conduct on its role in terms of Section 77 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA). It described the code as "practical guidance to those who engage in discussions concerning the promotion or defence of the socio-economic interests of workers and the resolution of these matters". The code was technically issued by Nedlac in mid-August, but only published on Friday. Section 77 of the LRA specifically allows for broad protests about socio-economic issues. The process to gain protected status for such a strike is that it must be called by a registered trade union (though non-members can take part); the issue must be one "considered by Nedlac or any other appropriate forum"; and Nedlac must be given 14 days’ notice. There is no definitive test for whether an issue concerns a matter of socio-economic interest, which depends on the particular circumstances of each case. Definitely excluded are "matters of a purely political nature" and anything "of mutual interest between employer and employee". But Nedlac says figuring out how long it will take to consider a grievance before a full-blown strike is appropriate is a little tricky. Though protests should "not be unduly delayed", issues that fall within the realm of socio-economic concerns are often not ones "that can be resolved as expeditiously as a labour dispute". When a dispute is declared, those involved are required in the code to avoid what may be considered delaying tactics, such as changing representatives, saying they lack a mandate, or just failing to pitch up for meetings. Parties are also required to sign a declaration of good faith, solemnly promising they actually want to resolve the issue, and that they will "engage in a rational, constructive and courteous manner". Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phillip de Wet at Business Insider SA
Police unions mull strike as unions spurn public service wage offer Fin24 reports that unions representing police officers could consider strike action in protest against government's public service wage offer. The Cosatu-affiliated Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) and the SA Policing Union (SAPU) have both rejected government's 3% wage offer, along with the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw). SAPU is affiliated with the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu). Popcru plans to stage a march to the Union Buildings later this month, along with lunch-hour pickets in protest against government's wage offer. The march is also likely to gauge the appetite of ordinary members to strike, which could include 182,126 police officers, over 38,000 correctional centre guards, and tens of thousands of traffic officers. The police unions are chiefly motivated by the rising cost of living and government's decision to renege on the last leg of the 2018 public service wage agreement, which was upheld by the Constitutional Court. In late August, the government raised its wage offer from 2% to 3% during a mediation process aimed at breaking a deadlock in the discussions. But while other unions have taken this offer to their membership for a mandate, Popcru is still demanding a 10% wage increase, while SAPU has revised its offer downwards from 10% to 8%. SAPU's spokesperson, Lesiba Thabokgale, called on all public sector unions to unite and reject the offer. He said SAPU had already lodged a dispute in the public service wage talks and was set to hold a strike ballot with membership soon. Popcru, in a statement, said that it fervently rejected the current wage offer tabled by the government. The unions contend that, if a 3% increase and a non-pensionable cash gratuity were to be implemented, they would have lost out on real increases to their wages and pensions for three years since 2020. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24 (subscriber access only)
Second round of CCMA-facilitated wage negotiations between Numsa and South32 to be held in mid-September Mining Weekly reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has reached a deadlock in its wage negotiations with diversified miner South32. The parties met for negotiations last week under the auspices of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), but could not reach an agreement. Another meeting with the CCMA has been scheduled for 15 and 16 September to try and settle the dispute. South32 is sticking to its offer of a 3.1% increase across the board, as well as a one-off increase of 4% only for one month. However, Numsa has rejected the offer as not amounting to a meaningful increase. Additionally, the union says it is unfair that South32 has already implemented a 6.5% increase across the board for white collar workers, who earn more than ordinary blue collar workers. Numsa maintains that South32 can afford a reasonable wage increase for lower-level workers and says it will approach the Metals and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council for a certificate to strike, should the employer fail to put a better offer on the table during the next meetings. In response, South32 maintains that its revised offer provides for a hybrid model for operators and artisans, while a consumer price inflation-aligned increase has been offered for production technicians. The company has affirmed its commitment to engaging with all the relevant parties during the wage negotiation process. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly. Read too, South32 bids to end Hillside wage deadlock with Numsa talks to resume next week, at Miningmx 'They'll soon take over our homes': Sabie residents gripped by fear as zama zamas 'divert' municipal services Fin24 reports that residents of one of Mpumalanga's most popular tourist towns say they are fearful because illegal miners are increasingly disrupting life and services in their community. People living in Simile township in Sabie say ‘zama zamas’ (illegal miners) are taking over the area through criminal activities. They also claim that illegal miners have diverted municipal services to their illicit workshops. Community leader Sbongakonke Nkosi said: “They are conducting illegal mining day and night. Their machinery operates throughout the night. Inside their settlement, there are areas where locals are not wanted. We don't want to be in a similar situation like in Gauteng, where illegal miners are terrorising people.” He said since the illegal mining activities started about five years ago, service delivery has been affected. He explained further: "They have illegally connected electricity running to our homes and diverted it to their shacks. They have also unlawfully diverted water from the township to places where they conduct illegal mining. The police are not doing enough to end illegal mining. Should it be left to grow, as it is now, they will soon take over our homes, as we have seen in other parts. We have engaged our municipality, and there is no action." Thaba Chweu municipal spokesperson Themba Sibiya said they were concerned about illegal mining in Simile: “These activities illegally tap into the municipal infrastructure, leading to damages and distribution losses. Owing to the high water and electricity consumption by the equipment used, residents end up being deprived of these basic services.” A police spokesperson agreed that illegal mining was a serious problem and said the police would keep on arresting the zama zamas. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Steel and engineering stakeholders want MEIBC pay deal speedily extended to nonparties BL Premium reports that certain stakeholders in the steel and engineering industry have called on Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister Thulas Nxesi to gazette and extend a multi-term pay hike deal signed in 2021 to nonparties. The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), among other unions, signed a three-year wage agreement in October 2021 for workers to get annual increases of 6% until end-2024. As the sector’s largest employer body, Seifsa represents 19 organisations with about 170,000 employees. The deal was inked after three weeks of industrial action. In August this year, the National Employers Association of SA (Neasa) and the SA Engineers’ and Founders’ Association (Saefa) approached the Labour Court to interdict the Metals and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) from submitting a request to Nxesi to gazette and extend the pay deal to nonparty employers and employees in the industry. The court ruled that Neasa and Saefa had not established the requirements for urgency and had failed to make a case for interim relief. On Monday, Numsa’s Irvin Jim called on Nxesi to move with speed and to “quickly gazette” the wage agreement and extend it to nonparties so that all workers in the sector could benefit from the wage increases. He called on Neasa and Saefa to work with other employer organisations in a constructive manner for the good of the industry. But Neasa’s Gerhard Papenfus said the two organisations remained “very solid”. He added: “We will deal with this matter very soon. They [signatories to the wage agreement] have won round one of 15.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
With 7,000 job losses since start of Covid outbreak, bus passengers sector wants bus indaba to address crisis TimesLive reports that the SA Road Passenger Bargaining Council (SARPBAC) indicated on Monday that the bus passenger sector lost 7,000 jobs since the start of the Covid-19 outbreak and 32 companies had closed down. In a joint media statement, the council and the Southern African Bus Operators Association (Saboa) reported they had been canvassing the Department of Transport for more than two years for a bus indaba, but without success. The council said during this period and the previous decade, the bus and coach industry had slid into unsustainability, and the entire industry value chain and stakeholders were at a point of no return. “Recent research into the effects of Covid-19, focusing on employment within the industry, reflects a dire situation. Covid-19 has directly affected 40% of entities (parties and nonparties) in the industry,” the council indicated. Saboa’s Bazil Govender said research found that since the onset of the Covid-19 period until now, 32 (mainly small to medium nonparty) companies had closed their doors and no longer existed. He explained that many entities had opted for the retrenchment route to ensure sustainability and remain in business. The industry lost about 7,000 employees from the measures implemented. All 15 unions operating within the industry lost membership, leaving some on the brink of exiting the sector entirely. The unions’ statistics indicate losses of membership totalling about 6,000 members. The sector said it could not solve the systemic faults and long-standing policy issues in public transport on its own, so it has called on the transport minister to urgently engage with the sector and commit to a bus indaba. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at BusinessLive
Extension of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits welcomed, but court action continues News24 reports that the Zimbabwean Immigration Federation (ZIF) is not backing off from court action against the Department of Home Affairs over the expiry of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEP). Last week, Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi extended the ZEP by a further six months, but the organisation said that was not enough. The permits were supposed to have expired in December. Luke Dzviti of ZIF said that while they were relieved, the extension was not a solution: "The same problems we have now in reviewing the visas are the same problems we will have by 30 June. The conditions have not changed." One reason for the extension was that the department had so far received few applications by Zimbabwean nationals for ordinary visas. It was reported last month that only 6,000 of the 178,000 permit holders had made representations as to why the department should not terminate their permits. The ZIF is one of the organisations that took the department to court over the ZEP. It wants the government to be interdicted from arresting or deporting ZEP holders once their permits expire. Dzviti said they were not backing down from their court action, adding that even in respect of the extension, the department still had “hostile" conditions for renewals. He argued that in six months, conditions in Zimbabwe would not have changed. "People have no homes in Zimbabwe. They built their lives here," Dzviti pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tebogo Monama at News24. Read too, Zimbabwean Exemption Permits, due to terminate at end-December, extended for six months, at Moneyweb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Cabinet considers economic relief package to ease cost of living crisis BL Premium reports that at its two-day biannual planning meeting on Monday, Cabinet began a debate about introducing an economic relief package to shield South Africans from the worst cost of living crisis in more than a decade. Mondli Gungubele, Minister in the Presidency, indicated: “Lekgotla is going to come out with a package with regards to how we improve the situation. I have no doubt that there will be something about those issues but I cannot give you [specifics].” The meeting is taking place as official data shows inflation surged to 7.8% in July, a level last seen 13 years ago. It also comes almost two weeks after labour federations Cosatu and Saftu took to the streets of major cities to demand that policymakers address the mounting cost of living, with one of the leaders, Zwelinzima Vavi, calling for a R1-trillion cash injection into the economy. Other issues that will come up in the cabinet meeting include unemployment, which fell slightly in the second quarter but remains high at 33.9%, and progress on infrastructure investments, the lynchpin of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s economic recovery plan. Resolutions from the lekgotla, which is also attended by deputy ministers, directors-general and provincial premiers, feed into government programmes and could ultimately end as policy or legislation. The lekgotla takes place ahead of the release of second-quarter GDP figures on Tuesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Employment growth encouraging government to do more to unlock investment, says Ramaphosa, at Engineering News. And also, Ramaphosa says declining unemployment rate provides grounds for 'cautious hope', at News24 On Wednesday motorists to get biggest petrol price cut since 2020 Fin24 reports that the price of both 93 and 95 unleaded petrol will be lowered by R2.04 a litre on Wednesday, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announced on Monday. This will lower the price of 95 petrol in Gauteng to R23.38 a litre, from a record high of R26.74 in July. Nevertheless, petrol cost only R19.61 at the start of the year. This week's cut of 8% in the 95 petrol price will be the biggest monthly percentage decline since early 2020. Diesel will be reduced by between 46.34 c a litre and 56.34c a litre. The department expects that demand for diesel will tighten which could lead to possible diesel price increases in future. The price of illuminating paraffin will fall by 82c a litre. The fuel prices are determined by the price of oil and the rand-dollar exchange rate. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Fin24. Lees ook, Petrolprys val met R2 per liter, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SANDF warns of low morale due to poor and unsafe infrastructure and accommodation at certain bases BL Premium reports that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has warned that poor and unsafe infrastructure and accommodation at some of its bases have affected staff morale, which could make it difficult for commanders to mobilise troops in an emergency. Defence officials also maintain that the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPW&I), which is tasked with maintaining its facilities, is failing to deliver. Briefing parliament’s standing committee on appropriations at the weekend on progress made in moving the infrastructure maintenance function from the DPW&I to the SANDF, Maj Gen Joseph Ledwaba painted a bleak picture. “As witnessed by [the standing committee] during the visits of Bloemfontein, Thaba Tshwane and Waterkloof Airforce Base, troop accommodation is a risk and not suitable and safe. This makes it difficult for commanders to mobilise troops for any emergency. It impacts on the morale of the troops and aggravates their financial situation,” Ledwaba stated. He said the total backlog on repairs and maintenance stood at R11.4bn, while facilities beyond repair that needed to be demolished and replaced were valued at R4.7bn. Ledwaba complained that that facilities used by the army continued to deteriorate, which had tarnished the image of the SANDF. DPW&I Minister Patricia de Lille told MPs her department was willing to let go of the maintenance function. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bekezela Phakathi at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Lifestyle audits to be ‘hardwired’ into Sars’ normal operations Mail & Guardian reports that the SA Revenue Service (Sars) is “going full speed” towards ensuring lifestyle audits are hardwired into the tax authority’s normal operations. Sars had been conducting these audits, which look into cases where the lifestyles of taxpayers did not match their income declared for tax purposes, since as early as 2007. However, Johnstone Makhubu, the chief revenue officer at Sars, told delegates on the first day of the 2022 Tax Indaba on Monday that the agency had only recently had enough data to conduct “meaningful” lifestyle audits. Earlier this year, Sars commissioner Edward Kieswetter revealed that the tax agency had completed 25 lifestyle audits in 2021. The audits, Makhubu said on Monday, had led to the raising of R474-million in assessments, which Sars was working to convert into collections. “We are finding more and more that, as we enrich the data, we are able to have impactful lifestyle audits … The richness of the data allows the depth in the quality of such lifestyle audits, such that, when we put forward the results and the outcomes, the investigative work that has gone in allows for easier conversion,” he indicated. In its strategic plan to 2024-2025, Sars noted there had been increasing non-compliance by taxpayers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sarah Smit at Mail & Guardian
Union seething after former parliamentary secretary, who was fired for maladministration, scores tender from legislature News24 reports that union leaders in Parliament have called on the institution to nullify and declare void a tender, shrouded in secrecy, awarded to the legislature's former secretary Gengezi Mgidlana – who was fired over allegations of maladministration. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) said that given Mgidlana’s history at Parliament, the contract to conduct research should be cancelled. It called on the Presiding Officers to instruct the secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, to cancel the contract. Seemingly, Mgidlana’s company, Afrocentric Markets Consultancy, has been appointed to conduct research for Parliament. The company was apparently appointed by the Legislature Support Services (LSS) on behalf of the SA Legislative Sector (SALS) to “deliver on the project of conducting benchmarking on the legal and policy framework that regulates cooperation national, provincial and local sphere of government.” Temba Gubula, Nehawu's secretary in Parliament, said the union believed the appointment of Mgidlana’s company to do business with Parliament was irregular and unethical. He stated: “Mgidlana was dismissed for acts of very serious misconduct by Parliament, and that should have immediately disqualified him or his company from engaging in any sort of business with Parliament.” According to Parliament’s spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo, no appointment has been made. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24. Read too, Disgraced ex-secretary Gengezi Mgidlana ‘back in parliament’, at Sunday Times (subscriber access only)
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