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 Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related reports.
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Cosatu and SACP influence on state policy to ‘drop radically’ after ANC’s electoral loss BL Premium reports that the influence of labour federation Cosatu and the SA Communist Party (SACP) on government policy and legislation is set to take a knock after the ANC lost its outright majority during the general elections last week. The ANC’s share of the vote plunged from 57% in 2019 to 40% in 2024. Cosatu and the SACP are part of the ANC-led tripartite alliance, which has been very influential in the development and passing of government policies and legislation. Cosatu and SACP have always supported the ANC during elections and its leaders have served as cabinet ministers. However, Stellenbosch University political analyst Prof Amanda Gouws said: “The tripartite alliance really never worked. They are not elected structures even though they were allowed by the ANC to govern and influence policy. But now the ANC doesn’t have a choice, it doesn’t have a majority, they will have to compromise with their coalition partners. Therefore, if Cosatu or the SACP want to influence policy, they will have to become elected members. An elected, democratic government cannot work with unelected structures.” Labour analyst and DA MP Michael Bagraim commented: “First the alliance will probably remain in place even though the ANC has lost its majority. The influence will drop somewhat. However, our system is structured on the basis of consultation.” He added that trade unions through their federations would remain influential and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) “will not change its structure”. “The structure very carefully lends itself to input from the trade unions and the various worker federations. Even if the DA has a co-operation agreement with the ANC, it will not affect the current minimum wage and any changes to legislation will be subject to years of discussion,” he noted. 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
Stun grenades thrown at farm women protesting outside Parliament for a ban on pesticides GroundUp reports that over 200 farm women braved the rain and cold to march to Parliament in Cape Town on Tuesday. The protest, under the banner of the Women on Farms Project (WFP), was over a decision by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to renege on a promise to phase out harmful pesticides by June 2024. Police threw stun grenades at the women after they broke past the police line at the gates of Parliament. Using their shields, police pushed the women back. In April 2022, the department gave notice that certain pesticides, including chemicals linked to cancer, genetic mutations, and harmful to reproductive health, would be phased out and banned by this month. But the department recently gazetted guidelines for applicants to apply for “derogation” of a “substance of concern” and be granted an exemption to use the pesticides. In its memorandum, the WFP said the guidelines did not provide the criteria the department’s registrar would use to decide on the registration of pesticides; that there was an “unreasonably short” period of 30 days to provide any comments on applications; and that there was no appeals process for interested parties, such as farm workers, after a decision was made. “This move allows rich, resourced, and powerful corporations to undermine the safety and well-being of our agricultural workers and communities,” the memorandum reads. It demanded that pesticides already banned in the EU also be banned in SA, and that the registrar should meet with the workers urgently. The farm women said the new regulations were made without consulting them and that they “feel like their health interests have been totally overlooked”. No one received the memorandum at Parliament. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Liezl Human at GroundUp Gunmen follow off-duty Limpopo detective and shoot him dead, female passenger in car wounded News24 reports that Limpopo police have launched a manhunt for gunmen who killed an off-duty police officer and seriously injured a woman in Mamadimo Park, Mankweng, on Sunday night. Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the body of the Polokwane officer, 41-year-old Detective Sergeant Luanda Rice Ringani, was found in a vehicle. The wounded woman was in the vehicle with him. "The detective sergeant was declared dead at the scene by the emergency medical personnel while the female victim was rushed to the hospital for medical attention," Mashaba indicated. The officer and the woman who was with him had driven to her Mamadimo residence for safety after someone followed them in a silver Mercedes-Benz, which had a Gauteng registration plate. "The suspects followed the victims to the place and fired several shots at them before they could enter the yard and fled the scene," Mashaba said. Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe visited the scene along with senior police management officials, the Hawks and forensics officials. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24. Read too, Cop shot dead, woman passenger injured by assailants following them in Mercedes-Benz, at IOL News Massive fire at Midrand mattress warehouse contained, with no casualties reported The Citizen reports that firefighters contained a massive fire that broke out at a warehouse in Midrand on Tuesday morning. City of Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson Nana Radebe said they received a call early on Tuesday morning about a structural fire at Glen Austin, Midrand. Upon arrival, firefighting crews found the building engulfed in flames. Three fire engines were on scene, and the fire was contained so as not to spread to other buildings. People at the scene confirmed that everyone had been evacuated, and no casualties were reported. Preliminary investigations will be conducted to determine the cause of the fire. “It is during this season that Emergency Management Services records an increase in structural fires and a high number of deaths caused by incorrect use of heating appliances. As the temperatures continue to plummet, residents are urged to use heating appliances correctly and never leave heaters and stoves unattended,” said Radebe. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen. Read too, Firefighters battle blaze at Joburg mattress factory, at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
More than 200 employees stage underground sit-in at Sibanye’s Kroondal platinum mine Fin24 reports that Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kroondal platinum group metals (PGMs) mine has been hit by an underground sit-in by workers disgruntled over employee share option schemes. Late on Tuesday, Sibanye advised that morning-shift employees and contractors initiated an illegal sit-in underground at Kwezi shaft of its Kroondal mine near Rustenberg on Monday morning. As of Tuesday evening, 211 employees remained underground. Operations at K6, another Kroondal shaft, were also disrupted during Monday’s night shift when 250 people gathered in a central waiting place on surface. The protest action comes after annual payments were made to beneficiaries of the Rustenburg and Marikana employee share option schemes (ESOPs) on 1 June. "The striking Kroondal employees are reportedly aggrieved to not have received ESOP payments, despite Kroondal employees not yet qualifying for any ESOP payments," Sibanye said in a statement. The mining company said standard protocols for resolving grievances had not been followed by employees in this instance, "with the action taken by these employees, potentially compromising the operations and the safety and wellbeing of employees involved in the sit-in". Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at Fin24. Read too, More than 450 employees at Sibanye’s Kroondal PGM mine on second day of wildcat strike, at Daily Maverick Some miners resurface from ‘illegal and unprotected strike’ at Sibanye-Stillwater platinum mine The Citizen reports that some miners have chosen to emerge from their underground sit-in at Kroondal West’s Kwezi shaft. The Sibanye-Stillwater mine was disrupted on Monday morning by employees disputing the proceeds of an employment payment scheme. Female miners and others with health conditions emerged from their strike on Tuesday night, but the majority of the 211 original participants continued with their protest action. The miners are reported to be in a cramped space without sufficient food or water, according to a SABC News report from the scene. Roughly 250 employees from the K6 shaft joined the strike, staging an above-ground sit-in in solidarity with their colleagues. The protest stems from the disgruntled miners not receiving payments as part of the company’s employee share ownership scheme at the end of May. Sibanye-Stillwater clarified that the striking miners did not yet qualify for the payments, as the agreement signed was to consider the feasibility of incorporating the Kroondal employees into existing schemes. According to the company, the annual payment will only be due after the Kroondal share agreement has been acquired by Sibanye Rustenburg Platinum Mines, a deal to be concluded before the end of 2024. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jarryd Westerdale at The Citizen Amcu backs demands of Sibanye Stillwater mineworkers sitting-in at Kroondal platinum mine SABC News reports that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) says it supports the demands of the workers protesting over an employee share ownership scheme (ESOP) for employees at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Kroondal mine in Rustenburg. Operations remain halted at two shafts at the mine. This as over 200 mineworkers have been staging a sit in underground at the Kwezi Shaft since Monday morning, while the night shift was also cancelled at K6 Shaft. Sibanye emphasised that discussions between the company and unions regarding the details of the proposed Kroondal ESOP were ongoing, and the proposal had not yet been implemented because the acquisition of Anglo Platinum’s 50 percent share in the Kroondal PSA had not been concluded. Amcu’s regional deputy chairperson, Xolile Dangala, said: “We went underground then we were given a mandate, and we gave the feedback to management as to what is the mandate, then we will take it from there. The meeting that will be held today (Tuesday) is the one that is going to determine what the answer from the employer regarding the mandate of the working class is. Based on the mandate, they are saying they only want their monies. If the employer is willing to resolve this, they should adhere to the mandate.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News Pan African signs five-year wage deal with NUM at its Barberton operations BL Premium reports that Pan African Resources has concluded a milestone five-year wage agreement for wage increases and other conditions of service with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) at its Barberton Mines. The NUM is the representative union for Category 4 to 8 bargaining unit employees at the Barberton operations. The agreement for the period 1 June 2024 to end-June 2029 amounts to an average annual increase of about 5.3% per annum over the five-year period, Pan African indicated in a statement on Tuesday. The agreement provides for an increase of 5.0% or CPI, whichever is higher, capped at 6%. But, it affords the parties a one-off option to renegotiate these increases, in the event of CPI being lower than 4% or higher than 7.5%. The current five-year wage agreement with UASA, the other representative union at Barberton Mines, which was entered into in 2021, is valid for another two years, until 30 June 2026. “The maturation of Barberton’s ESOP (employee share ownership plan) has also realised tangible benefits to all its participants,” said Pan African CEO Cobus Loots. The ESOP was destined to mature on 30 June after a 10-year term, but an early settlement of the scheme – 31 March 2024 – was negotiated with employees and unions. Qualifying employees received dividends of more than R40m during the scheme’s tenure, with the final maturity benefits paid to employees in May. More than 2,200 employees qualified to receive final maturity payments, with payments dependent on the number of completed years of service. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jacqueline Mackenzie at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Pikitup clears waste backlog in Joburg CBD following strike by casual workers EWN reports that City of Johannesburg waste collector Pikitup has managed to clear a service backlog in the CBD caused by protesting workers over contractual disputes. Casual workers downed tools and trashed the city centre in recent weeks, after their temporary contracts expired. The group also made accusations of dodgy recruitment methods and corruption. Braamfontein, Joubert Park, Hillbrow and the CBD were severely affected by the strike. Rubbish-marred pathways with no way to avoid the pungent stench as a result of days of no collection became the order of the day for affected areas. The City launched an urgent investigation into allegations of corruption at the service provider and subsequently released 400 new job posts. In addition, three back-to-back shifts and weekend shifts have been added to attend to the backlog. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Mongezi Koko at EWN
Ster-Kinekor restructuring results in fewer job cuts than expected BusinessLive reports that struggling cinema group Ster-Kinekor has emerged from restructuring with fewer job cuts than expected and is preparing to diversify its offerings to draw audiences. According to CEO Mark Sardi, SA’s largest movie exhibitor averted retrenching 226 staff and shutting nine cinemas as part of its overhaul. Instead, fewer than 60 jobs were cut, mainly at the head office, and only two cinemas were closed. Sardi said this was thanks to successful talks with landlords and distributors about running alternative, complementary operations at the identified underperforming sites. Cost-cutting measures had also aided efforts. The company was placed under business rescue after lockdown restrictions forced cinemas to remain closed in the early part of the pandemic in 2020. It emerged from the rescue process upbeat about a rapid recovery. However, in February, management notified all staff of its intention to restructure under section 189 of the Labour Relations Act and to begin the consultation process. A quarter of its staff and as many as nine cinemas in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape were reportedly on the chopping block at that time. With the restructuring and subsequent retrenchments now completed, Sardi said the company’s expansion into new products, services and markets would ensure sustainable income. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Michelle Gumede at BusinessLive Labour Appeal Court finds Coca-Cola retrenchments were justified in response to sugar tax crisis BL Premium reports that the Labour Appeal Court (LAC) has endorsed the retrenchment of scores of workers by soft drink giant Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBSA) in response to the introduction of a sugar tax causing it operating losses. This after the National Union of Food, Beverage, Wine, Spirits and Allied Workers took the company to court, asking it to set aside the retrenchments. The court last week dismissed the application, saying the Labour Court had applied the law correctly in ruling for CCBSA. The company told the LAC that it was forced to implement retrenchments due to the financial pressure exerted by the sugar tax at the end of 2018 financial year that compelled it to fork out R2.1bn in sugar tax. That was in addition to the R850m worth of discounts it had to give, while sales volumes fell 2% during the year. Combined, these factors caused it to report a R293.8m drop in profit in the year. The LAC found as follows: “In short: CCBSA’s response to the crisis precipitated by the introduction of the sugar tax, increased costs and a declining market was a rational response to arrest the economic decline that it experienced, and its decision to restructure the commercial division, and in particular the structure within which merchandisers and pre-sellers were engaged, is not unreasonable having regard to its operational requirements.” The decision by the LAC hands Coca-Cola a second significant victory after the Constitutional Court in April ruled that the retrenchments were part of business requirements, after the Competition Commission accused the company of sidestepping conditions of a 2016 merger. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Majavu at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Corruption-accused Matlosana municipal manager appears in court with her sister after weekend arrests City Press reports that Matlosana Local Municipality manager Lesego Seametso and her sister, Kelebogile Seametso appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing corruption charges. The two were arrested on Sunday by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime unit and were charged with theft, fraud, corruption and money laundering. The arrest followed a City Press exposé which revealed that the manager allegedly purchased a multimillion rand house which was registered under the Seametso family trust. A case was registered at the Klerksdorp Police Station in May 2024, wherein it was reported that tender irregularities amounting to R3 million had been identified within the municipality. Hawk's spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said the investigation implicated Lesego Seametso as having benefited from stolen municipal funds. Amongst other flagged transactions, the funds were reportedly used to purchase a house through a family trust account, with the municipal manager a co-signatory. The municipal manager and her sister were granted bail of R20,000 and R 10,000, respectively, with the case postponed to 2 August 2024 for further investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Abram Mashego at City Press (subscriber access only)
Commuters dodge a bullet as workers’ union postpones strike, delivers memorandum to SA Taxi Business Report writes that SA Taxi, a division of Transaction Capital, dodged a bullet on Monday after the Kungwini Amalgamated Workers Union (Kawu) postponed until next week Wednesday a strike that could have hit the taxi commuter transport and security sectors hard. This as workers pressed demands for acceptable working conditions and union representation. The strike was averted after workers, who had been picketing at the SA Taxi headquarters in Midrand, presented a memorandum of demands. This after negotiations, which had commenced in October and went through the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), were left unresolved. Kawu’s memorandum of demands seeks to bridge the 20% industry-level wage shortfall, and also to register the employees with the Motor Industry Bargaining Council so that they can access medical, provident fund, leave and bonus benefits. The union is also demanding the signing of a collective agreement and recognition of shop stewards. Kawu's national co-ordinator, Khumbulani Moyo, said the union was planning to mobilise for solidarity among its 65,000 members within the private security sector, most of whom were security guards in the hospitality, government and private sector. “The public transport operators are our stakeholders as well and we had planned to approach them by Monday if management still refuses to engage,” he indicated. SA Taxi, which claims a stake in the 15 million daily commuters in the taxi sector, currently finances about 36,000 taxis and has helped establish 76,000 businesses nationally. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Banele Ginindza at Business Report Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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