In our Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Transnet claims most employees back at work, but almost no one said to have showed up at Durban Port container terminals Moneyweb reports that Transnet says it has begun implementing recovery plans across its operations and that employee attendance is up across the board, averaging between 70% and 80%. It expects more employees to return to work over the next two days. In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the state-owned ports, rail and pipelines group indicated that it was prioritising the safety of employees and assets as it prepared to ramp up operations. “Engagements with customers and industry are ongoing, with joint planning to clear backlogs created as a result of the industrial action,” Transnet advised. However, insiders dispute the company’s statement – saying hardly any workers pitched up at the Durban Port container terminals on Tuesday. One insider said: “The reality is that the container terminals, which are the biggest ticket items in all of this, ran at 30%, with operations expected to reach 50% with the added labour force later on in the day. But almost no one showed up today [Tuesday]. There is a big disconnect between what the company is reporting and what is actually happening on the ground.” On Monday, the United National Transport Union (Untu), signed a three-year wage agreement with the company. But, although Untu is the majority union, it is not the majority by a wide percentage. Meanwhile, the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) said on Tuesday night that it had met with Transnet’s management and had requested that it be given until Thursday (20 October) to engage with its constituencies regarding the latest developments. The union indicated that it would weigh in on its position regarding the matter on Wednesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nondumiso Lehutso at Moneyweb Untu’s deal with Transnet may scupper Satawu’s chances of above-inflation increases BL Premium reports that the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu), a minority union at Transnet that rejected the logistics company’s latest wage offer, says it is weighing its options regarding rival union United National Transport Union’s (Untu’s) decision to accept the wage offer and return to work. Satawu’s general secretary Jack Mazibuko commented that Untu’s decision to accept a three-year wage deal with Transnet was likely to negatively affect Satawu’s chances of securing above-inflation increases “because the employer will take advantage of the deal”. Workers at the state-owned ports and railway operator downed tools nearly two weeks ago over higher wages. The agreement between Transnet and Untu, whose members represent the majority of employees, includes a 6% increase in year one, a 5.5% increase in year two and a 6% increase in year three, plus increases to medical and housing allowances. The wage deal applies to all bargaining unit employees, including those who are not Untu members. “The agreement [with Untu] does not include a retrenchment clause, so we believe that after the agreement is signed, the employer might start retrenching workers,” said Mazibuko. Satawu, which has revised its wage demand from 13.5% to anything above inflation, is expected to communicate its decision on whether to remain on strike or return to work at Transnet by Thursday. “A wage offer that is below inflation is not what we want, because it means in real terms workers will not see any increases in their salaries ... the increase can even be 8%,” Mazibuko noted. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Satawu calls Transnet's wage deal with UNTU a 'betrayal' of workers, vows to continue strike, at Fin24 Transnet says 80% of workers back at work, ports backlog will be cleared in six to nine weeks EWN reports that the devastating Transnet strike is coming to an end after the United National Transport Union (Untu) agreed to a three-year wage deal on Monday. Untu is the majority union, representing more than 50% of the Transnet workforce. On Tuesday, Transnet was still in discussion with the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu). According to Transnet Group CEO Portia Derby, 70% to 80% of workers were back on the job on Tuesday. She advised that the Bargaining Council had extended the wage agreement to all workers, so for those who had not yet returned it was still a case of no work, no pay. “What we've done is given all of our workers a reprieve to get back to work by Thursday, seeing as some of them might have travelled far as a result of the strike,” Derby said. She pointed out that, in essence, the Transnet strike had lasted just over a week considering it was staggered with Untu having kicked off its action before Satawu did. However, Derby acknowledged that the strike created significant backlogs both at ports and for rail. The backlog at ports should be cleared within the next 6-9 weeks, she advised. “At the ports is where the backlog becomes more difficult because you're moving containers, there are yards ... allocation of spots where containers are kept ... so in port terminals we have we have a lot of hard work to do over the next couple of weeks. In the case of Transnet Freight Rail they need about 24 to 48 hours for the backlog ... and another 3-7 days to catch up on the critical flows ... But the real problem is that time lost is time lost ... In the case of TFR in particular, we would not be able to make it up in this year,” Derby indicated. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Paula Luckhoff at EWN
Finance Minister expected to pencil in 3% to cover public sector wage increases BL Premium reports that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to pencil in 3% in the expenditure framework — the government’s latest wage offer that only the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has accepted — when he presents the medium-term budget policy statement next week. Absa chief economist Peter Worthington pointed out that the 3%, on top of the 1.5% notch progression and a R1,000 per month post-tax cash gratuity, would “nudge up” the deficit and debt ratios if the amount was not funded by higher projected tax collections or expenditure cuts. Last week, Sadtu, which represents about 260,000 of 1.3-million public service union members, accepted the government’s latest wage offer. It said that the proposed 3% wage increase, coming on top of the 1.5% automatic pay progression and continuation of the R1,000 a month cash gratuity, "was fair at this difficult economic juncture". A key remaining concern is that other key public sector unions, such as those representing healthcare workers and police, will continue to reject the government’s latest wage offer. So it is hard to know for sure when a pay deal will be settled or at what level overall. Noting that “there remains great uncertainty about where the current wage negotiations will settle”, Worthington went on to note: “We see a strong likelihood of slippage on the National Treasury’s fiscal consolidation plan founded on a three-year pay freeze.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thuletho Zwane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Mthatha teacher allegedly shoots dead on-duty traffic officer for issuing fine The Citizen reports that an Eastern Cape teacher is in police custody for allegedly killing a traffic officer who issued him with a fine for the contravention of traffic rules. Police spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the educator from Tutor Ndamase Senior Secondary School, Siphesonke Galoshe, was remanded in custody by the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Monday. His court appearance followed his arrest by the Mthatha based Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation last week. Mgolodela indicated: “It is alleged that on 10 October 2022, Galoshe who was driving a silver Toyota Tazz shot and killed a traffic officer, Daniel Mxoli (61) attached to the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality in Mthatha. The offence is reported to have emanated from the traffic officer issuing of a fine to Galoshe for his contravention of the traffic rules. The traffic officer turned his back on Galoshe, that is when Galoshe allegedly alighted from his vehicle, took out his rifle and shot the traffic officer in the back. The traffic officer sustained fatal wounds on the scene.” The suspect is alleged to have hidden at his sister’s place in Gqeberha. She forced him to hand himself over to authorities. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Siphumelele Khumalo at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Saftu to picket on Wednesday at Eskom’s offices over load shedding and to demand De Ruyer’s resignation IOL reports that the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) will stage a picket at Eskom’s Megawatt Park in Sunninghill on Wednesday. Saftu’s Lebohang Phanyeko indicated that the federation was calling for an end to the continuous blackouts and demanding the resignation of Eskom CEO André de Ruyter. “The purpose of this protest is to raise the plight of workers but mostly to raise the frustrations from working-class formations, that they are tired of these mass rolling blackouts happening every day, every night and every morning. We are saying enough is enough. Load shedding must go. De Ruyter must fall. The entire board must fall. Pravin Gordhan must fall,” Phanyeko said. He added that South Africans were tired of blackouts and many people were losing their jobs because of the outages. “Small and big businesses are being crippled. The purpose of the march is a step towards bigger action which Saftu and its allies are speaking about,” Phanyeko indicated. Eskom implemented Stage 4 load shedding on Tuesday, following a breakdown of five generators at five power stations overnight. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Se-Anne Rall at IOL Other internet posting(s) in this news category
BME launches graduate programme to contribute to mining skills development Mining Weekly reports that explosives company BME, part of the Omnia group, has launched a two-year graduate programme to address youth unemployment and skills shortages in the mining industry. The programme targets various disciplines in engineering and science – including mining, chemistry and microbiology, as well as skills in the fields of safety, health, the environment and quality assurance. This is part of the commitment by BME’s leadership to support skills development and the growth of young people within the mining industry. The initiative will also be instrumental in attracting and retaining talent for the company. BME MD Ralf Hennecke noted on Monday that many businesses in industry required work experience from job candidates, which often excluded graduates from consideration because they did not have the necessary skills or the understanding of the work environment to fill the role. “Coupled to this, some graduates consider the work environment to be daunting. We, therefore, believe our role will be to ensure each graduate in our programme is provided with the opportunity to grow and develop and reach their full potential. It is vital that we invest in skills development,” he said. BME has recruited 19 graduates and placed them at various underground and surface mining sites where the company is currently active. Some graduates have also been placed at BME’s Losberg emulsion plant and its AXXIS initiation system plant. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly
Debate on cabinet ministers’ perks ‘far from over’ The Mercury reports that calls have been made for public participation in amendments to the Ministerial Handbook after the Presidency announced that changes that increased ministers’ perks at the expense of taxpayers would be put on hold pending a review. On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa, through his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, said that the controversial changes to the 2022 Ministerial Handbook, which allowed high-earning Cabinet ministers to get taxpayers to pay the total bills for their electricity, rent and water, and to have additional staff, had been put on hold pending a review. This came after there was national outrage about the perks, withy the country battling high unemployment, load shedding and the rising cost of living. The handbook was amended in April, but the changes only came to light recently. “President Ramaphosa acknowledges and appreciates the public sentiments on the matter. However, the impression created that the amendments were created in secrecy and to avoid public scrutiny is false,” said Magwenya. According to IFP leader Velenkosini Hlabisa, the handbook should not be scrapped, but the review must be a transparent process and benchmarking must take place with other countries. Build One South Africa movement leader Mmusi Maimane said the review should be carried out by Parliament’s portfolio committee so that members of the public could attend in a transparent process. He added: “The Presidency also needs an ethics officer who will look at abuse of the public purse. The handbook is only one issue, what about ministers who use a five-star hotel instead of four stars, who upgrade to first class for international travel?” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kuben Chetty at The Mercury. Lees ook, Herroep van handboek gaan Ramaphosa ‘vriende kos’, by Maroela Media
Pension Fund Adjudicator’s report shows that more employers are failing to pay over retirement fund contributions Fin24 reports that the Pension Funds Adjudicator released her 2021/22 integrated report on Tuesday and it shows that complaints about non-payment of retirement contributions by employers jumped from 24% to over 40% in one year. "This is of great concern to the OPFA (Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator) as fund non-compliance, and section 13A matters have been a consistent feature over the years and continue unabated to the detriment of pension fund members," the Pension Funds Adjudicator, Muvhango Lukhaimane, lamented. The OPFA received 8,858 new complaints between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022, over and above the 2,109 cases it carried over from the previous financial year. It closed 8,382 of those. Although the number of complaints was still lower than pre-pandemic levels, the proportion of those relating to non-payment of retirement contributions increased. They made up 40% of complaints received by the OPFA in 2021/22, coming second to grievances about withdrawal benefits. Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act stipulates that employers must pay contributions to the pension funds in which they participate. Yet there have been many high-profile cases in SA where parties responsible for making these payments on behalf of members failed to do so. These include the governing ANC and the suspended CEO of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority, Mamodupi Mohlala. The OPFA said while it was understandable that employers faced financial challenges in the recent past, it should not be acceptable that pension fund members had to bear the brunt. The consequences were dire for members, who usually found out when they tried to claim that their employers were not paying their retirement contributions. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Londiwe Buthelezi at Fin24
Official at Mangaung Prison suspended for alleged sexual harassment News24 reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) in the Free State said it was concerned after a top official at the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) was suspended, allegedly for sexual harassment. The MCC is a maximum security facility, which is run by G4S SA on behalf of the Department of Correctional Services. Popcru's provincial secretary, Amelia Mahlatsi, said a high-ranking official at the prison had been suspended in connection with three allegations of sexual harassment. She stated: "Popcru is firmly against any acts of gender-based violence in all its forms, and is increasingly concerned that such serious allegations are levelled against a senior member of the correctional facility, demonstrating the rife nature of the abuse of power exerted on junior officials. It is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which impairs human dignity and creates a hostile working environment - and, as a union that is non-sexist, we do not take these allegations lightly and will therefore work to ensure that women are protected, both in their living and working spaces." Mahlatsi said the union would monitor the process to ensure the victims were not prejudiced. G4S confirmed the suspension and said it took the allegations “extremely seriously” and had appointed a senior woman to lead a thorough investigation. Last week, the SA Human Rights Commission said it was investigating allegations that employees at the prison were forced to strip naked, in front of colleagues, during searches. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tebogo Monama at News24 Cape Town DA councillor accused of rape, sexual assault released on bail of R1,000 News24 reports that a Cape Town Democratic Alliance (DA) ward councillor accused of rape and sexual assault has been released on bail of R1,000. After spending the weekend behind bars following his arrest on Friday, the 56-year-old man appeared in the Wynberg Magistrate's Court on Monday where his release was unopposed by the State. He was allowed to go to the area in which the alleged victim lives for work but was barred from having any contact with her. The charge was laid against him by one of his constituents last Tuesday. Apparently, the alleged incident took place after the woman approached the councillor for a job. The councillor cannot be named until he has pleaded to the charge in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act related to sexual offences. After being charged, he was sent to the holding cells of the local Philippi police station, where residents gathered demanding that he should not receive any special treatment. A police spokesperson said the demonstration was peaceful. The case was postponed to 6 December for further investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tammy Petersen & Lisalee Solomons at News24 Oudtshoorn’s deputy mayor in custody after postponement of ‘sexual assault’ case TimesLive reports that the deputy mayor of Oudtshoorn municipality in the Western Cape appeared in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on a charge related to an alleged sexual assault. Mlandeli Nyuka was arrested earlier this month after a woman reported him to the police. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the matter was “rolled over to tomorrow morning” and Nyuka was remanded in custody. The town’s second citizen allegedly called the woman to his office under the pretext of the meeting being about a job opportunity and allegedly touched her inappropriately. She reported the alleged incident to police and a case was opened, leading to his arrest. During Nyuka’s first appearance, the prosecution indicated it would oppose his release on bail due to a previous conviction in addition to a pending criminal case. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Philani Nombembe at TimesLive
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