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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CWU vows to shut down Post Office on Thursday and Friday over wages, unpaid medical aid contributions Fin24 reports that the Communication Workers Union (CWU) intends to shut down SA Post Office (SAPO) branches around the country on Thursday and Friday as workers demand a 15% wage increase and solutions to an ongoing medical aid contributions crisis. SAPO has been failing to keep up with employees' medical aid contributions to its medical aid provider, Medipos, with the most recent conflict having taken place earlier this month. On Thursday, the union plans to march from the Union Buildings to the Department of Communications and the National Treasury in Pretoria. In the Western Cape, the CWU will march to Parliament with its demands, which include a 15% salary increase and an end to the medical aid contributions crisis. There will also be mass picket events at Post Office branches in all nine provinces around the country. The union said the pickets and demonstrations would continue into Friday and escalate to "phase two", which would include looking into the possibility of a strike, if SAPO management did not heed its demands. CWU general secretary Aubrey Tshabalala said Cosatu and the SA Communist Party would support the mobilisation. He said talks with ANC structures for their support were ongoing. A SAPO spokesperson previously advised that the entity was struggling to pay medical aid contributions for November because of its financial troubles, but said that it was communicating openly with staff and working towards a solution. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24 Makro workers plan to strike on Black Friday over wage dispute IOL reports that workers at Makro are threatening to abandon till-points on Black Friday as part of an ongoing strike. According to EWN, after months of negotiations through the CCMA, workers affiliated to the SA Catering, Commercial and Allied Workers’ Union (Saccawu) are anticipated to picket at Makro stores around the country. The union indicated that the two-day picket, which will coincide with one of the busiest shopping days of the year, was intended to put pressure on the retailer to give in to their demands regarding pay and working conditions. The union is demanding an overall pay increase of 12%, sales commissions from 10% to 20%, a R100 uniform allowance, and a 13th cheque for all workers in December. If Saccawu follows through with its strike action on Black Friday, Massmart could be adversely affected, while the rest of the retail industry gears up for the biggest single sales day on its calendar. Massmart’s senior vice president, Brian Leroni, said that the union’s demands were unrealistic. “Saccawu union officials at Makro have indicated privately that they know the company can't afford a 12% increase. This is perhaps best supported by the fact that Saccawu recently settled for a 4.5% increase at our Builder's and Game stores," Leroni stated. He indicated that Massmart had contingency plans in place to ensure the operation of its stores. Saccawu held nationwide demonstrations during the same period last year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibuliso Duba at IOL. Read too, In row over wages, Makro employees threaten to desert posts on Black Friday, at EWN No taxi strike on Thursday in Cape Town IOL reports that rumours about a taxi strike taking place in Cape Town have been dispelled as old news. A screenshot from a news article on Heart FM has been making the rounds on social media platforms, but Heart FM advised that the information being shared was from an article published in March. Heart FM’s Roi Simpson confirmed that no strike action would be taking place on Thursday, as verified with the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) as well as the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (Cata) and the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta). “We’re aware that a screenshot of one of our news stories about a taxi strike on Thursday is being widely circulated. That story was published about another action taken by operators back in March 2022. We are taking action to try to ensure in future that our online stories are date stamped in such a way that there can be no confusion like this again. We’re pleading with everyone to help us stop the spread of false information, which could be quite damaging,” Simpson said in a statement. Santaco in the Western Cape held a two-day shutdown on Monday and Tuesday. On Tuesday evening, however, Santaco announced that services would resume as normal on Wednesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Robin-Lee Francke at IOL
City of Tshwane condemns rise in attacks on paramedics in Gauteng EWN reports that the City of Tshwane has condemned the increase and continued attacks and robberies of paramedics while on duty serving communities in Gauteng. This came after a patient was killed inside an ambulance in a mob justice attack in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. Community members in the Mshongoville informal settlement also attacked emergency services personnel who were attending the patient on Monday night. Community Safety MMC Grandi Theunissen said that paramedics tried to transport the patient to the nearest hospital when the group started pelting the ambulance with rocks and stones. The group continued to attack the man while he was on a stretcher, resulting in his death. Theunissen commented: "The entire incident is unacceptable. It is criminal behaviour. Even more concerning is the trend of attacks and robberies of paramedics. I call on the South African Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation so that the guilty people can be brought to book without any further delay." Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Veronica Mokhoali at EWN
Despite expectations, consumer inflation in October surprised with acceleration to 7.6% Fin24 reports that consumer inflation in October picked up to 7.6% year-on-year, from 7.5% recorded in the previous month. Economists had expected inflation to ease to 7.4%. Stats SA released the figures on Wednesday, which showed a 0.4% month-on-month increase in October. The main contributors to inflation were food and nonalcoholic beverages, which increased 12% on a year-on-year basis and transport, which was up 17.1%. Housing and utility prices were up 4.3% on a year-on-year basis, and also contributed to the increase. Patrick Kelly, chief director for price statistics, explained that breads, cereals, meat and dairy were the key product groups which drove food inflation. Annual meat inflation rose to 10.5% from 9.9% in September and milk, eggs and cheese prices saw an increase of 10.5% – the highest rate since February 2017. The oil and fat products category, which had driven food inflation higher for many months, recorded its second consecutive month of disinflation. Transport inflation was driven by vehicle prices – which climbed to 6.1% from 5.8% in September. This was mainly due to higher used vehicle prices – which were, on average, 14.5% more expensive than a year ago. Lower petrol prices saw fuel inflation decline for a third consecutive month. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lameez Omarjee at Fin24. Lees ook, Inflasie weer effe op, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SA professionals increasingly need side jobs to keep up with rising cost of living SowetanLive reports that a study conducted by an employment agency has found that almost half of SA professionals feel underpaid and some have now started side hustles to keep up with the cost of living. Global recruiter Robert Walters SA surveyed 2,000 professional workers in SA and found that 48% of them did not feel that their pay was an accurate representation of the work they did. When workers were asked about pay in relation to cost of living, only 5% said that they had a generous disposable income, with 31% saying they had to live sensibly to cover their cost of living. Less than a fifth make enough to warrant savings. Worryingly, a quarter of professionals (24%) live “pay cheque to pay cheque”. Almost a fifth of professional workers (18%) are resorting to side hustles for the first time in their lives. Megan Prosser of Robert Walters indicated: “Traditionally side or weekend jobs have been viewed as a potential distraction by employers, with some companies fearing that additional work can decrease productivity in a professional’s primary role. Times are changing and in fact we are learning that employers need to be flexible, and that leaders must be empathetic to the fact that, for some, a side hustle is not just a passion project, but a necessity.” Prosser proposed the following for employers: introduce flexible start and finish times, to help employees avoid the cost of peak travel, and to help them gain back extra time in their day; allow staff to develop their side hustles outside of work hours, relieving some pressure in multiple ways; create a reward structure, which ties into the cost of living – for example streaming subscriptions, food vouchers, or flight allowances; and offer enhanced training programmes and if employees are not happy with pay, show them the clear route to earning more within the company. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Penwell Dlamini at SowetanLive. Read too, Young South Africans are turning to ‘side hustles’ to make ends meet, at Mail & Guardian (subscriber access only)
Another arrest at Eskom’s Camden power station, with a truck driver caught this time after swapping coal Moneyweb reports that yet another arrest has been made at Eskom’s coal-fired Camden Power Station in Mpumalanga. A coal delivery truck driver was arrested at Camden on Tuesday, after he was found to have swapped the correct specification of coal designated for Eskom with sub-grade coal . The arrest came after two other truck drivers were apprehended when they were found in possession of stolen coal two weeks ago at the same power station. It also followed the arrest of an internal contractor last week, after he was linked to an incident of sabotage at Camden. In a statement on Wednesday, Eskom indicated: “While the truck left the mine with the correct specification of coal, the swapping with inferior quality coal occurred at a known illegal coal yard in the area, prior to the delivery being made at the Camden Power Station. During questioning, the truck driver admitted that he was allowed to exit the Wonderfontein Coal Mine by security, without the tarpaulins on the truck being sealed with the prescribed seals, and that the seals remained in his possession on exit.” The driver was arrested and a criminal case encompassing several charges was opened at the Ermelo Police Station. More arrests are expected. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nondumiso Lehutso at Moneyweb. Read too, Coal truck driver apprehended at Eskom’s Camden station a week after 'sabotage' arrest, at Fin24. En ook, Eskom gryp vermeende steenkooldief, by Maroela Media Suspect in Eskom's Camden power plant 'sabotage' case remains behind bars TimesLive reports that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Mpumalanga has clarified that the suspect arrested for alleged sabotage at Eskom's Camden power station remains behind bars. Eskom erroneously reported on Tuesday that the suspect had been granted bail. NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa on Wednesday identified the suspect as 43-year-old Simon Majonke Shongwe, who was an Eskom subcontractor. Nyuswa said Shongwe appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate's Court on charges relating to tampering with essential infrastructure. She indicated further: "On November 10 unit 4 at Camden power station tripped, increasing load-shedding. On investigation, it was found that someone [removed] bearing drain plugs [from] the main bearing at the unit [resulting] in the shaft overheating and tripping the generator. The entity suffered a loss of more than R1m. Eskom’s investigation led to the arrest of the accused, hence his appearance in court. The case against Shongwe was postponed to Thursday for a formal bail application. He is remanded. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at TimesLive
Worker salaries paid in dribs and drabs at Maluti-a-Phofung municipality in Free State TimesLive reports that employees of the Maluti-a-Phofung municipality in eastern Free State will not be receiving their salaries as usual this month, but have been assured they will be reimbursed in staggered payments. A notice from the municipality issued on Monday stated the municipality found itself in a difficult cash flow position due to nonpayment of services and continued vandalism of electrical infrastructure. “We are therefore unable to pay employees and councillors on November 23. Employees will be paid according to their post-level categories, starting from post-level 15 upwards,” the notice indicated. Municipal spokesperson Thabo Kessah said salaries would be paid, with the only difference that “salary payments will be categorised according to levels and will be paid on different days until November 30.” The notice has angered political organisations, with the DA councillor in the municipality Alison Oates warning that finances in the municipality were running dry. She said the municipality was unable to manage its finances, which had resulted in a breakdown in community service delivery and deteriorating infrastructure in the area. ANC councillor Mandlenkosi Dlamini called for the executive mayor to give full explanations and reports on why workers were not paid on time, who the paid service providers were, and what services they were providing. “This municipality receives quarterly funds from government, Where are these funds if the municipality fails to pay workers?” Dlamini asked. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at BusinessLive
Netcare concerned over nursing shortage as red tape leaves it turning away thousands of trainees Fin24 reports that Netcare used to train thousands of nurses each year, but as it awaits accreditation, it has been forced to turn away applicants in droves and cut the number of nurses it trains by some 90%. "Certainly, the one thing that keeps us awake at night is the number of nurses that are being trained," Netcare MD Jacques du Plessis told investors during his presentation of the group's financials. Netcare used to train around 3,500 nurses a year through its own nursing colleges. Now it is allowed only to train about 10% of that. It is supplementing its capacity by using agency nurses, and it's coping well now because, at current occupancy rates, its hospitals are not full. The group has also taken all administration tasks out of nurses' duties. Friedland later indicated that Netcare had the capacity and willingness to produce the number of nurses it needed should occupancy in its hospitals reach 80% or more. But it has been waiting for permission from the government to do that for the past four years. "We were the largest trainer of nurses in the private sector. We are still waiting for accreditation and permission to train in KwaZulu-Natal from the government, the Department of Health, and the South African Nursing Council. We're appealing for these pipelines to be open because we have thousands upon thousands of applicants per year that we have to turn away," he advised. He said the group was experiencing the same problem with IT professionals in terms of being able to train enough data scientists for its needs. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Londiwe Buthelezi at Fin24 (subscriber access only)
Kannaland's acting municipal manager can't be permanently employed due to earlier axing, MEC asserts News24 reports that according to Western Cape Local Government MEC Anton Bredell, the acting municipal manager of the beleaguered Kannaland Municipality cannot be permanently employed in a local government position for at least 10 years following his dismissal for maladministration in 2019. Keith Jordaan took up the acting position at the Kannaland Municipality in October. Bredell was responding to a parliamentary question posed by ANC provincial leader Cameron Dugmore, who raised concerns about Jordaan's appointment earlier this month. His appointment has been mired in controversy after he was dismissed for maladministration and an investment of almost R300 million with Old Mutual while he was the chief financial officer of the George Municipality. Jordaan allegedly contravened the Municipal Investment Regulations in that Old Mutual was not a registered bank and, as such, the municipality could not invest monies with it. Moreover, no supply chain processes were allegedly followed when Old Mutual was appointed as an investment manager for the George Municipality. The ANC in the province has accused Western Cape DA leader Tertuis Simmers of trying to push for Jordaan's appointment as municipal manager. Simmers vehemently denied the claim: "I did not influence to have Jordaan appointed (sic). Jordaan is on record that neither I nor any other DA official had ever approached him to take up the position of acting municipal manager in Kannaland." Jordaan has also denied being appointed by Simmers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24
Unisa registrar accuses vice-chancellor of unfounded and baseless sexual harassment allegations The Star reports that yet another Unisa staffer has accused the university’s vice-chancellor (VC) and principal, Puleng LenkaBula, and some of her subordinates of conspiring against him through unfounded and baseless sexual harassment allegations. Unisa registrar Professor Steward Mothata says he has proof that the VC has been behind baseless sexual harassment allegations concocted against him. He said these had been made to tarnish his image and interfere with his office. This comes after former Unisa head of legal services, advocate Modidima Mannya, accused the university of getting rid of him through sexual harassment charges, which are currently before the courts. “It is reported that I committed sexual misconduct and that I told a female staffer that I want her. This never even happened,” Mannya said. Mannya was placed on suspension on 8 April last year for three months after he rejected a proposal by the VC to participate in what she termed a mediation process, while allegations of sexual misconduct against him have never been investigated since then. Mothata also accused the head of employee relations, Dr Phumzile Dlamini, and the VC of interfering with his portfolio, adding that a female colleague had admitted to him that her signature had been used without her approval in a sexual harassment charge against him. The university said it was not prepared to comment on issues affecting staff members as these were internal matters being dealt with within university processes. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at The Star
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