In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Changes to work permit regime in the pipeline to tackle crucial skills shortages Bloomberg News reports that SA has begun taking steps to resolve what the Presidency believes is the biggest impediment to growth after persistent blackouts, namely an acute shortage of skills. A raft of changes to simplify the rules governing the work permit regime were submitted to the state legal adviser last week and are expected to be passed into law in coming months. Saul Musker, director of strategy and delivery support in the Presidency, indicated that the adviser would consider them for a few weeks and they would then be put out for public comment for 30 days before being taken to parliament. Companies operating in SA struggle to find skilled workers, a result of a dysfunctional education system exacerbated by emigration. Between 2014 and 2021 only 25,298 skilled work permit visas were approved. More than half of applications were rejected on grounds including errors in the complex application process. Musker commented: “It’s harder to come to SA than almost any other country in the world despite the acute shortage of skills we have. Investors are not able to grow their businesses in SA, or have their regional head offices here. It’s a huge and very real constraint to growth.” It is projected that a moderate increase in skilled migration could lift GDP by 1.2%. Eight recommendations in a study released by the Presidency in April include a points-based system, where applicants who met a minimum education and salary level would be granted work permits. Larger employers could be granted trusted employer status. New permit categories to ease the entry of remote workers and those working for start-ups should also be created. Ultimately, work permit applications may be able to be made and tracked online instead of through the submission of documents to embassies in what then becomes largely a manual process. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Antony Sguazzin at BizNews
VIP officers filmed assaulting motorists in Gauteng face three charges News24 reports that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has confirmed members of the police's VIP unit, who allegedly assaulted motorists in Gauteng at the weekend, face three charges. IPID spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said the officers faced charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property, and pointing of a firearm. A case was opened against them on Tuesday night. Raburabu said the investigation was ongoing. On Tuesday, the SA National Defence Union confirmed the victims were all SA National Defence Force members. One of them is a union member. IPID interviewed the victims on Tuesday and advised them to refrain from engaging with any police officers while the investigation was ongoing. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24. See too, Four VIP officers in assault video served with suspension notices, at Mail & Guardian VIP cops learn contempt from the politicians they guard and rarely face consequences, policing experts say News24 reports that according to policing experts, the firestorm surrounding Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP security team is just one example of a broader problem with police and politicians. The experts were commenting after Mashatile's security team was caught on camera brutally assaulting three individuals on the N1 freeway in Johannesburg. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the incident. Alex van den Heever of Social Security Systems Administration and Management Studies at Wits University's School of Governance said the actions of the VIP protection services were "a singular reflection of the wider problem". He commented: "Senior political office-bearers are contemptuous of the general public and their VIP protectors have absorbed this attitude. The politicians appear to both condone and revel in this conduct as it makes them seem more important." Independent violence monitor Mary de Haas said the political link between high-level security officials and politicians made the VIP units almost untouchable. “"It is problematic because there are people integrated into it for political reasons. Often, we see those officers integrated into VIP security receiving preferential treatment. They are known to pull rank on officers they have no authority over. The ordinary citizen knows what it is like to be pulled over by a cop. They [the police] never have proper identification, and they are defensive if you ask them about it. The general ethos of the police is disrespectful to the ordinary citizen.” She added that the state of the SAPS was one of the reasons why officers, even at the topmost level of the police, were poorly disciplined. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kaveel Singh at News24 (subscriber access only) If unchecked, brutal action of VIP protectors could lead to public revolt, says ANC’s Mbalula TimesLIVE reports that ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has warned the brutal action by VIP protection officers seen kicking, stomping and dragging vehicle occupants on the N1 should not be taken lightly. Mbalula said if not addressed properly it could lead to a public revolt as South Africans were already pessimistic about the behaviour of the blue-light brigade on the roads. He was speaking after a video emerged at the weekend showing Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection unit assaulting motorists on the N1. “Honestly, it's a kind of thing that makes people to march and take down a government – it angers you. I saw a lot of people on social media frowning upon that. It’s the kind of thing that can get people into the street. So it must never be taken lightly, what those cops did – that's why we need to get to the bottom of that and we've got checks and balances to do so. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate [Ipid] must investigate them,” Mbalula commented. He said those blaming Mashatile or the ANC were seeing an opportunity to further tarnish the party’s name. “The ANC as a brand is tarnished by opportunists, by chance takers who at any given point, they jump at the opportunity to attack the organisation. The ANC condemns this act of violence in our streets,” he said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kgothatso Madisa at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Numsa and Gautrain sign inflation-beating 8% wage deal BL Premium reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has reached an above-inflation wage increase of 8% across the board for Gautrain workers. The union had been in wage talks with the Gautrain management since April. Parties reached a deadlock in June, spurring union members to ballot for a strike last Friday. “Fortunately, management requested a meeting over the weekend, and made an offer to settle this round of wage talks,” Numsa’s general secretary, Irvin Jim, said. The one-year wage deal, which expires in June 2024, sees workers getting the following benefits: An 8% wage increase across the board (Numsa demanded 8%); a housing allowance increase of 10% to R1,210 (Numsa demanded R1,750); a transport allowance increase of 5% to R105 (Numsa demanded R125 per shift or R2,100 per month); performance bonus increases of R500, to R9,000 (Numsa demanded R15,000); a night shift allowance of R35 per hour (Numsa demanded R38); the Gautrain staff card to remain in place (Numsa wanted the status quo to be retained on free train rides for all employees coming to work and going back home). Welcoming the agreement Jim said: “We secured an above-inflation increase of 8% at a time when most employers are not granting any increases, and we secured a double-digit percent increase on the housing allowance.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Independent Newspapers mulls job cuts as revenues keep falling Fin24 reports that Independent Newspapers, which publishes titles such as The Cape Times, The Star and Isolezwe, is contemplating cutting 115 editorial and production jobs in a bid to remain sustainable in a harsh operating environment. The newspaper group sent a so-called section 189 notice to unions on Friday indicating that it wanted to hold consultations ahead of the possible dismissals. The media group's CEO, Takudzwa Hove, said in the letter that Independent Newspapers could "no longer maintain a high, largely fixed cost structure considering the declining revenue base and evolving operating processes". The letter added: "The loss of revenue and non-profitability of titles, which was evident prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, has worsened and continues to decline." Hove said the proposed cuts would result in "leaner and more dynamic functional teams" and that the group was struggling to compete with competitors who had already downsized their newsrooms. The proposed cuts appear not to impact staff at Independent Online, the online sister site to Independent Newspapers, which is an indirect subsidiary of businessman Iqbal Survé's Sekunjalo group. In his letter, Hove said talks would be held with staff next month to see if they could hash out any alternatives to dismissals. The letter comes a few weeks after the publisher proposed voluntary severance packages to staff. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Cronje at Fin24 (subscriber access only)
Safpu gives details on Motsepe rescue plan that sent Banyana off to World Cup TimesLIVE reports that Banyana Banyana will go to the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup happy after their contractual impasse with the SA Football Association (Safa) was ended with the intervention of the Motsepe Foundation. The team started departing from OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday for the tournament in New Zealand and Australia from 20 July to 20 August. Financial assistance for cash-strapped Safa came from the Motsepe Foundation and Ithuba. SA Football Players Union (Safpu) president Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday, that, thanks to the foundation’s backing, the African champions would have R230,000 added to the $30,000 (R562,000) group stage appearance money from Fifa. The Fifa payment increases for teams who progress past the first round. All the team’s backroom staff, consisting of more than 10 members, will get R150,000. These figures were disclosed by Gaoshubelwe before Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao announced that Ithuba had added R2m to the undisclosed amount from the Motsepe Foundation. Monyepao did not clarify how the R2m added by Ithuba will be used, but said Safa would further engage the players on it. The Safpu president said the negotiations were not easy and lasted throughout Tuesday night until the early hours of Wednesday. “We have not yet signed the documents, but we have agreed [in principle] to say these are the things and that’s why we [Banyana] are going,” he indicated. The impasse over the finances saw Banyana missing their send-off match at the Tsakane Stadium on Sunday against Botswana. A hastily compiled makeshift side lost the match 5-0. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sazi Hadebe at TimesLIVE. Lees ook, SA se vrouesokkerspan op pad na NS ná geslagsloondispuut, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Court upholds restraint of trade against former Shoprite employee who wanted to work at Clicks BusinessLive reports that Shoprite Checkers has successfully restrained a former employee from working for competitor Clicks after the court ruled the company had the right to protect confidential information the worker would have had access to. Design planner Tebogo Kgatle’s contract with Shoprite included a restraint of trade clause, which he believed should not have applied when he sought employment at Clicks. The Western Cape High Court disagreed, ruling on Wednesday that Kgatle’s senior position at Shoprite gave him access to precisely the kind of confidential information that the company had every right to protect. Before employing Kgatle in 2021, Shoprite had given Kgatle a bursary to obtain an honours degree from Stellenbosch University. He became one of only 14 design planners who reported directly to the department head. Kgatle resigned in April 2023, stating he was underpaid and saw no prospects for advancing. He obtained an employment offer from Clicks to start shortly after his resignation. As a result of going to a direct competitor, Shoprite instituted proceedings to restrain him from doing so. Kgatle argued the restraint was unfair because he had given an undertaking not to disclose anything to Clicks. Judge Derek Wille noted that by giving the undertaking, Kgatle had basically “conceded that [Shoprite] gave him access to [its] confidential information”. The judge granted the relief to enforce the restraint against Kgatle in favour of Shoprite and Kgatle cannot work at Clicks for at least a year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tauriq Moosa at BusinessLive. Read too, You can't take a Shoprite bursary, sign a restraint, then work for Clicks, court chides young man, at Fin24
Old Mutual says most of its low-income clients plan one-off pension withdrawals under two-pot system Fin24 reports that Old Mutual says more than two-thirds of its low-income retirement fund members want to access the 10% of their retirement savings they'll be eligible to cash in when the two-pot system comes into effect next year. Retirement reform executive Michelle Acton said the company had conducted "some very high-level testing" on its retirement member base, with responses highly dependent on both their current income, as well as proximity to retirement. "With the initial testing that we've done, over 70% of members in the lower (living standard measures) say they will come forward and claim," said Acton. She indicated that those closer to retirement were highly unlikely to look to access their money immediately, while high-income earners were also not keen due to the higher marginal tax rates they would pay. At the same time, the insurer said there was much confusion from members who believed they would be getting much more than the R25,000 cap set by National Treasury. "We are getting a lot of [cases] where someone has got a lot of money in their retirement fund, and they think that they will be able to access a full third of it," said Acton. She indicated that there was still more education to be done on how the two-pot system would work and the costs members would incur. When they withdraw 10%, for example, it will attract a withdrawal fee. Administrators are still calculating the additional resources they will need to deal with all the potential claims in one go. They will likely know and communicate the details with their members closer to the implementation date. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Londiwe Buthelezi at Fin24 (subscriber access only). Read too, Old Mutual readies for high pension savings cash-outs as two-pot day nears, at Moneyweb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Three accused in Bester prison escape granted R10,000 bail each on appeal TimesLIVE reports that three of the accused in the Thabo Bester prison escape case were granted R10,000 bail each by the Free State High Court on Wednesday. Senoho Matsaora, Teboho Lipholo and Tieho Makhotsa successfully appealed after they were denied bail by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court. The high court upheld the appeal and set aside the magistrate’s order refusing bail pending the outcome of the trial. The release of these three brings the number of bailed suspects to six. The court ruled that the three must appear at the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on each date to which the trial has been remanded. They must report to the Kagisanong police station on Mondays between 6am and 6pm. They have been ordered not to directly or indirectly have contact with any state witness. The court also ruled that the three should not leave the area of Bloemfontein without the written permission of the investigating officer. Twelve people have so far been arrested in connection with Bester’s audacious escape from Mangaung prison. Seven of them are either current or former employees of the G4S security company. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLIVE. Lees ook, Nog drie kry borgtog in Thabo Bester-saak, by Maroela Media
Vrede traffic officer and driving school owner arrested for alleged learner licence corruption News24 reports that a traffic official and a driving school owner have been arrested for corruption after they allegedly ensured that learners' licence candidates passed their tests – for a fee. The traffic official, Sipho Malinga, and the driving school owner, Doctor Moloi, appeared in the Vrede Magistrate's Court in the Free State on Tuesday. Free State Hawks spokesperson Captain Christopher Singo said: "Malinga is a traffic official employed as an examiner at the Vrede Traffic Department testing station, while Moloi is a driving school owner. It is alleged that Moloi would scout for individuals who needed learners' licences and give their details to Malinga to ensure they pass their tests." The Hawks set up an operation in October and November to confirm that corruption was taking place and it was established that Moloi and Malinga were working together and sharing the proceeds. The accused were each released on R2,000 bail and their case was postponed to 24 July. Read the original of the report in the above regard compiled by Nicole McCain at News24 Free State cop arrested for allegedly helping awaiting trail prisoner escape from court News24 reports that a Free State police officer has been arrested for allegedly helping an awaiting trial prisoner escape from custody at the Welkom Magistrate's Court. Police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng said the 56-year-old officer was arrested by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Unit after he was found to have had a role in the prisoner escaping. The prisoner was about to be transported from the court to Odendaalsrus Correctional Services in March when he managed to escape. He was facing two counts of shoplifting and two counts of theft out of motor vehicles. The 39-year-old suspect was arrested three days after the escape. "[There is] no evidence thus far of the exchange of money, but the investigation continues. The police officer, who is a Warrant Officer, was arrested Monday morning at the court for the March escape and appeared in court on Tuesday," Thakeng reported. The officer faces charges of aiding and abetting an escape and defeating the ends of justice. He was released on bail of R1,000 and was expected back in the Welkom Magistrate's Court on 31 July. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24
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