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.
|
NUM calls Seriti’s bid to cut more than 1,100 coal jobs a ‘declaration of war’ BusinessLive reports that more than 1,100 jobs are on the line as coal producer Seriti Resources seeks to restructure its operations, which it says are not commercially sustainable. The move has angered the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which described it as a “declaration of war” that would push long-suffering members into poverty. Seriti operates six large-scale, opencast and underground thermal coal mines, predominately supplying Eskom power stations. The NUM said it would mobilise its members for the “mother of all strikes” against Seriti’s retrenchment plan. The union, which is an affiliate of labour federation Cosatu, a key ANC ally, said it would engage mineral resources minister Gwede Mantashe to intervene to save jobs, adding that if Seriti was unable to run and operate the operations, it “must sell them to mining companies that have respect for the unions and the workers.” On Tuesday, NUM Highveld regional chair Malekutu Bizzah Motubatse said the union was angered by the “total disrespect and impulsive decision taken by Seriti Resources to retrench 1,143 workers.” He went on to indicate: “The company wants to replace permanent employees with contractors. This is [a] declaration of war. We will be meeting our shop stewards from next week Thursday. We are mobilising for the mother of all strikes.” The NUM represents about 3,000 of Seriti’s estimated 5,000-strong workforce. Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) general secretary Jeff Mphahlele said they would chart a way forward. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive. Read too, Eskom supplier Seriti likely to cut over 1,000 coal jobs, at Fin24 (trial registration required)
Employee collapses at police station and later dies after holding his manager and employee hostage and setting fire to East Rand offices News24 reports that before collapsing at a police station and later dying in hospital, Thabo Clement Ncama allegedly terrorised a manager and another employee at Nice Group SA by holding them hostage at the company's offices on the East Rand, Gauteng. The company, which specialises in smart home security and home and building automation, confirmed that the incident happened last Friday. In a social media video, Ncama, visibly frustrated, instructs another person to lock the doors while addressing his manager, who is seen strapped to a chair. "This is my manager at Nice. Today, I was going to a disciplinary hearing because he wants to fire me because I said he is racist … This guy has been treating us like sh*t since he came," he says in the video. Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said Ncama went to the offices at around 08:00 and demanded to see the 51-year-old manager. Ncama pointed a firearm at the manager, then pulled the trigger and shot at the ground. He instructed the man to lie on the floor, and tied his hands and feet with tape. Ncama also called another employee and tied him up, stating he did not want him to be suspected of involvement. Ncama then brandished a knife, threatening to stab them if they moved. He then fetched 10 litres of petrol in a container and started pouring it everywhere. In an attempt to end his life, Ncama took a rope and tried to hang himself upstairs but failed. Masondo said Ncama attempted to escape through a window but was arrested by police who responded to the scene. The fire set by Ncama caused extensive damage, which is estimated at R3 million. No injuries were reported. But, the manager who was taken hostage was extremely traumatised. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 (registration required) Mthatha police officer killed in N2 crash while tracking down house robbery suspects IOL News reports that a police officer from the Mthatha K9 Unit died in an accident on Monday on the N2 outside Tsolo while in the process of tracking down suspects linked to a house robbery. The officer, a 49-year-old warrant officer, was among five officers en route to Qumbu to follow up on leads when their vehicles collided with a minibus and another car near Dukathole Brickyard. The officer was driving one of the two police vehicles involved in the accident and was declared dead at the scene. The other four officers in the vehicles were injured and were hospitalised. The extent of their injuries is unclear, but they are under close medical supervision. The officers had been following up on information about suspects involved in a house robbery in Port Edward. Other law enforcement units arrested the suspects later that day. Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene, expressed deep sadness over the incident. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ronewa Jessica Mashamba at IOL News Eskom temporally withdraws services in Delft, Cape Town after employees attacked News24 reports that power utility Eskom has withdrawn its services in Zandkloof Avenue in Delft, Cape Town, following an attack on one of its employees over the weekend. "Unfortunately, this will result in delayed electricity restoration efforts to customers affected by faults in Voorbrug, Delft. Eskom strongly condemns harassment and any form of violence against our employees," general manager Mbulelo Yedwa said. Eskom said employees who went to the area to carry out maintenance work on Saturday were "harassed, hit with a brick, and attacked by a dog". Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said Delft police registered a malicious damage to property case for investigation. According to reports, the complainants attended a callout when they came under attack. It is alleged that stones were thrown at them. The company vehicle was damaged, and one of the workers sustained injuries to his body. The suspects have yet to be arrested. Last week, Eskom resumed operations in Makhaza, Khayelitsha, more than a week after its staff were robbed of their belongings and service vehicle at gunpoint on 5 September. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Numsa accuses BMW of using medical scheme fraud investigation to effect mass dismissals TimesLIVE reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has accused BMW SA of using an investigation into allegations that some employees have defrauded the BMW Employees Medical Aid Scheme to effect the mass dismissal of workers. The union alleged this was to avoid a formal retrenchment process with payment of severance pay. Some workers at BMW’s Rosslyn plant in Pretoria took part in a protest on Monday, alleging that there were mass dismissals at the company. However, BMW denied its employees were on strike and that it was looking to cut jobs. “The rumours of workforce reduction to cut a shift are untrue and should there be any termination of an associate’s contract due to the investigation we will recruit and upskill new associates, ensuring business continuity,” the vehicle manufacturer said on Monday Noting the situation at BMW relating to the suspension and dismissal of a number of workers alleged to have been involved in fraudulent activities, the union said on Tuesday it did not condone criminal activity. General Secretary Irvin Jim said of concern was that it appeared BMW had been aware of these irregularities since 2019 and did not take action, but “apparently now uses this issue to effect the mass dismissal of workers to avoid a formal retrenchment process with payment of severance pay”. He called on the senior leadership of Numsa and BMW to be prepared to meet and discuss these matters, including reaching a solution. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE
E-hailing drivers on strike in Cape Town on Tuesday to get government to intervene to improve conditions GroundUp reports that on Tuesday, dozens of drivers from Uber, Bolt, and inDrive halted their services and marched from Hanover Street in Cape Town to the provincial legislature to protest against what they describe as exploitative practices and unfair conditions. The drivers said they were pushing for legislative reforms to address their concerns, including enforceable limits on companies’ commission rates and vehicle safety regulations. In their view, government intervention was necessary to protect drivers. Among their demands were that drivers who had been unfairly removed from the system by employers should be reinstated; higher pay; and improved driver safety features. Moreover, e-hailing platforms should remove “unfair car age limits.” Uber recently instituted a policy requiring all vehicles on its platform to be no older than three years, meaning only 2021 models and newer are eligible to drive. The drivers said they also wanted authorities to be quicker in granting permits. The protest was the first in a series of planned actions across the province, with future dates set for 22 October, 19 November, and 24 December. Omar Parker of the Western Cape E-Hailing Association (WCEA) criticised the current system. He said members faced low earnings and the companies took an unfairly high proportion of the fare. He also claimed drivers were automatically kicked off the system if passengers complained or gave them a low rating, without a fair hearing. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marecia Damons at GroundUp
Fuel prices likely to drop again in October, to take prices to levels last seen in March and April 2022 BusinessLive reports that according to the Automobile Association (AA), motorists can expect another big fuel price reduction in October. Commenting on unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), the AA said both grades of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin prices were set for substantial price drops after four consecutive decreases. “According to the data, ULP93 will decrease by around R1.18c/l and ULP95 will decrease by R1.26/l. Diesel is set to decrease by around R1.10c/l, with illuminating paraffin reducing by around R1.04c/l. The forecast reductions in ULP93 and ULP95 will bring this fuel cost down to prices last seen in March and April of 2022,” the AA indicated. The expected reductions are due to significantly lower international product prices and the strengthened performance of the rand against the US dollar. “These decreases are positive and will ease pressure on our economy and consumers. Of course, this is only one indicator, and we cannot ignore higher interest rates and food prices but a decrease in fuel costs will make a difference to many,” the AA said. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at BusinessLive Discovery Health members face hefty contribution increases in 2025 Fin24 reports that Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) will be raising the price of member contributions of its medical aid plans by between 7.4% and 10.9% for 2025. The hikes will be effective from 1 January 2025, subject to approval by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS). Last month, the CMS asked medical schemes to limit their premium increases to 4.4% in 2025 to insulate members against financial hardship and the risk of having to forfeit their health cover amid an ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Discovery said medical inflation was estimated to exceed average consumer price inflation (CPI) by 6.4% in 2024. This was due to the rising price of healthcare services, increased demand for healthcare due to a gradually ageing membership, increased prevalence of chronic illnesses and a greater proportion of high-cost claimants. While member contribution increases for the DHMS in 2025 will range from 7.4% to 10.9% in 2025, the weighted average increase across all plans is 9.3%, more than double the CMS's recommended rate. However, Discovery said about half of members would see contribution increase of 8.4% or less in 2025. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Garth Theunissen at Fin24 (trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Menlyn’s Babel and Ocean Basket restaurants owe workers over R1.38m in unpaid wages, says Labour Minister IOL News reports that a joint inspection operation carried out at Menlyn’s Babel Restaurant and the nearby Ocean Basket has found the two eateries owe their employees over R1.3 million in unpaid wages. The Hawks, Home Affairs, the Department of Employment & Labour (DEL) and officials from the Bargaining Council raided the eateries on Sunday night, finding several pertinent issues regarding statutory non-compliance. Both employers were found not to have complied with the minimum wage rate prescribed in terms of the National Minimum Wage Act, namely R27.58 per hour for 2024/25. In a statement, DEL Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said the Babel restaurant owed its employees an estimated R271,984 for cleaners, and R295,547 for waiters and waitresses in underpaid wages. She reported that waiters were remunerated only on commission and tips at Babel and some were remunerated with as little as R150 per shift, at a maximum of R300 per week, which was far below the National Minimum Wage. The workers at Babel allegedly worked 12 and 15-hour shifts daily, which was in contravention of the daily and weekly rest periods provided for in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. At Ocean Basket, the waitresses were only remunerated on tips and commissions, with no basic salary paid. The amount the employer allegedly owed the employees was R813,969. “A combined total of R1,381,500.60 is owed to the employees of both restaurants,” said a DEL spokesperson. Two undocumented foreign nationals working at Babel, including their employer, as well as one undocumented foreign national working for Mr Delivery collecting a meal at Ocean Basket, were arrested. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Oluthando Keteyi at IOL News Labour department launches four-day inspection blitz after Babel restaurant revelations The Citizen reports that the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has announced a four-day, multi-departmental inspection blitz of the hospitality sector, specifically restaurants, following allegations of non-compliance with labour laws at Babel restaurant in Menlyn, Pretoria. The four-day inspection blitz, led by the Department’s Chief of Occupational Health and Safety, Milly Ruiters, will involve 1,984 personnel. The operation will be in collaboration with the SA Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Home Affairs and the Bargaining Council. Inspectors will focus on Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) compliance, occupational health and safety, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), the Compensation for Occupational Diseases Act (COIDA), and the National Minimum Wage Act. The results of the inspections will be shared starting Wednesday. The Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth on Monday confirmed that Babel’s employees were underpaid. Some of them received as little as R150 per shift, far below the national minimum wage of R27.58 per hour. Non-compliance extended to Ocean Basket, another nearby restaurant. Meth strongly condemned the exploitation of workers and said: “The exploitation of vulnerable workers by employers, will not be tolerated in any sector. Members of the public who may be facing unfair labour practices are encouraged to report such incidences to the nearest Labour Centre, as matters of this nature will receive our urgent attention. We take issues of employment and labour matters very seriously.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Enkosi Selane at The Citizen
Treasury defends tax on two pot retirement withdrawals, saying system is ‘progressive’ as it benefits low-income earners BL Premium reports that National Treasury has defended the tax on withdrawals from the two pot system of retirement saying that it is progressive in that it benefits low income earners. There has been much dissatisfaction, including by trade union federation Cosatu, over the fact that withdrawals will be added to taxable income and could thereby push taxpayers into a higher tax bracket. Members of parliament's standing committee on finance raised these objections with Treasury and SA Revenue Service (SARS) officials during a committee meeting on Tuesday on the 2024 draft tax bills. EFF MP Sinawo Thambo said the two pot system had become a “massive revenue collection” measure instead of being a progressive reform that was beneficial for workers. In his view, that there had not been sufficient education on the tax implications of the system. Treasury's acting head of tax and financial sector policy, Chris Axelson, pointed out that for those with very low or no income, there would be no tax on the withdrawal if the income and the withdrawal did not exceed a combined R95,750. He added: “The whole point of the system is to be progressive and to try to help those on lower incomes. If you have a lot of income you shouldn’t be withdrawing the money. It acts as a disincentive as well.” He emphasised that the two pot system was never envisaged as a revenue-raising policy and elaborated: “We couldn't have a system where people can withdraw money out of their funds and no tax was ever paid.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Some 30 persons injured in commuter train derailment in Paarl on Tuesday evening IOL News reports that about 30 people were injured and others trapped when a commuter train derailed at Dal Josafat station in Paarl on Tuesday evening. According to Drakenstein Farm Watch (DFW), a private firefighting service, a call came through at 6:41pm reporting the incident. DFW said it rushed to the scene and found at least 30 people injured while others were still trapped. DFW managed to rescue all passengers who were trapped in the train and no fatalities were reported. It is still unclear what caused the derailment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard Sinenhlanhla Masilela at IOL News
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page