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 Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Labour Minister signs contracts worth more than R651m to create jobs in Western Cape The Citizen reports that in an effort to tackle SA’s high unemployment rate, Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister Nomakhosazana Meth signed contracts on Thursday with 12 partner organisations from the Labour Activation Programme (LAP) in the Western Cape. The LAP is the department’s job creation initiative. Speaking to the media in Khayelitsha, Meth indicated: “LAP partners in the Western Cape will each sign a pledge committing to the absorption of more than 17,000 jobseekers in key sectors of the economy including retail, customer service, hospitality, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, transportation, food delivery, mining, and information communication and technology.” The 12 entities concerned are set to receive a collective amount of more than R651 million in funding, creating the more than 17,000 jobs. “These opportunities are expected to be created in the province over the next few months,” said the ministry. Meth explained that her department would work together with the 12 entities to track progress, identify challenges and find solutions. She went on indicate: “Nationally, we aim to create over 350,000 jobs across all nine provinces, and I am proud to announce that to date, we have formalised 29 partnership agreements, benefiting over 107,764 individuals,” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Oratile Mashilo at The Citizen Cosatu wants 'amoral and simply unacceptable' decision to terminate 60,000 CWP contracts reversed TimesLIVE reports that labour federation Cosatu has condemned the decision of the Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) department to terminate the contracts of Community Work Programme (CWP) participants aged 55 and above by 31 January. According to the department, this move, which would affect more than 60,000 workers, was influenced by budget cuts from the National Treasury for the 2024/2025 financial year. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks reacted as follows: “This must be rejected with the contempt it deserves by all progressive organisations. If needs be, parliament must intervene to halt it. This is amoral and simply unacceptable. Nor should politicians delude themselves into thinking voters will forget such cruel actions as we head towards local government elections.” The programme rolled out in 2008 is a government-funded initiative designed to cushion the poorest of the poor by providing regular low-skilled work opportunities such as road maintenance, home and community-based care work, planting trees and maintaining food gardens and fixing classrooms. Parks further argued that cuts should instead be made to ministers' and mayors' expenses rather than targeting vulnerable members of society. He said Cosatu would seek a meeting with the Cogta minister, finance minister and President Cyril Ramaphosa to reverse the decision. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Innocentia Nkadimeng at TimesLIVE. Read too, Cogta minister, deputies spent R10m on travel since taking office, at TimesLIVE. En ook, Cogta se reise in minder as een jaar kos land R10 miljoen, by Maroela Media Ramaphosa pushes for mineral beneficiation to boost jobs for youths TimesLIVE reports that ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa is advocating for the processing of SA’s mineral resources in the country and the export of finished products rather than raw materials. This proposal mirrors that of his party’s youth league, which has called for at least 70% of raw materials to remain in SA, citing it as a solution to socioeconomic challenges, particularly the high levels of unemployment among the youth. Ramaphosa said SA should not continue exporting most of its unprocessed materials. “When we mine our minerals, we must at least beneficiate many of them here and export the finished products so that other countries buy products made in SA. That is the task we are taking up and addressing,” Ramaphosa told supporters at the Athlone Civic Centre in Cape Town on Wednesday, where the ANC is holding its 113th anniversary celebrations. The main rally will take place on Saturday. He highlighted the issue of youth unemployment, saying almost 60% of the unemployed were young people. “The ANC has a task to ensure we address the unemployment challenge faced by young people. We must open up opportunities for them and listen to their needs,” Ramaphosa stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bulelani Nonyukela at BusinessLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Unions very unhappy about ArcelorMittal closing its long-steel operations The Citizen reports that trade unions Solidarity and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) are not happy with ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) closing down its long-steel operations. Amsa announced on Monday that it will close down its Long-Steel Business due to sustained challenges. Solidarity said in a statement it would use the upcoming labour consultation on retrenchments at Amsa to demand answers about the way forward for the beleaguered steel producer. Solidarity’s Willie Venter indicated that there would also be unequivocal questions about the apparent failure of Amsa’s talks with the government that were conducted during 2024 about a possible bailout. He pointed out that Amsa had already made it clear in 2023 that it might need to close down its Long-Steel Business. “Since then, Amsa sparked hopes when it reconsidered the long-term lockdowns and when, at the urging of trade unions, it held talks with the government about possible rescue plans,” Venter recalled. However, nothing came from these talks. “We were still hoping for a positive outcome for the talks between Amsa and government, but had to abandon it. It is very bad that the government apparently just shrugged its shoulders and is not intervening to stop such a large-scale retrenchment,” Venter lamented. Saying that Solidarity would negotiate the best possible outcome for its members in the upcoming retrenchment consultation process regarding severance packages and placements elsewhere in the company, Venter said the union would also hold Amsa accountable as an employer and demand more details about the failures of the critical government talks following the Amsa cry for help. Numsa’s Irvin Jim said the union would fight the proposed retrenchments because it was its duty to do everything possible to save jobs. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ina Opperman at The Citizen Government insists it is looking for a ‘workable and lasting’ solution to avert ArcelorMittal plant closure Fin24 reports that as ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) prepares to pull the plug on its long steel business – with production expected to halt at the end of this month – government has insisted it plans to find a "workable and lasting" solution. This, the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition (DTIC) said, would include a commitment by public and private sector entities to procure locally manufactured steel in their projects. The department’s statement, which was released late on Wednesday, came after Amsa announced its decision to wind down its longs steel business on Monday morning. The business is mainly comprised of its plant in Newcastle with the closure expected to affect up to 3500 employees. The decision follows a year of engagements between AMSA and various government departments and state-owned entities, which sought to find a solution to the various challenges faced by the long steel business. The DTIC noted that Amsa had reached out to various government departments and state-owned entities with requests for different concessions for their business and the minister responded by forming a comprehensive and coordinated approach to resolving the issues raised by the steelmaker. "In doing so, the minister set up a technical working group made up of the relevant stakeholders including the DTIC and Amsa, the departments of electricity and energy, transport, as well as Eskom, Transnet and private sector stakeholders. This working group held regular engagements up until and well into December 2024," the department pointed out. But, in announcing its decision to close the long steel business, Amsa said the engagements had failed to yield any tangible results and that it could no longer carry the loss-making business at the expense of the whole company. The DTIC however said "it has always been, and continues to be the intention of government to continue these engagements until a workable resolution to the problems faced by AMSA and the steel industry is reached". Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at Fin24 (subscription or trial registration required). Read too, Parks Tau not throwing in the towel on Amsa’s long steel business, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Cape Town's red zones are a perilous battleground for municipal workers News24 reports that the City of Cape Town is concerned about the relentless attacks against municipal staff who are sent to perilous red zones. In Cape Town, 25 areas are deemed "red zones" where staff, contractors and emergency personnel are frequently targets of violent crime. The City's mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the red zones were policing precincts with the highest crime rates that presented safety risks. "Philippi East is one such example. However, not all red zones are cast in stone. An area can make it onto the list in the event of an upsurge of gang-related violence, for example. The risks are assessed on an ongoing basis, in collaboration with SAPS," he indicated. Last year, 12 incidents occurred between 1 July and 11 September in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Happy Valley and Mfuleni where Urban Waste Management Directorate vehicles were hijacked. Smith went on to comment: “Not only do [the attacks] impact the rate of service delivery, but they also impact staff morale and community perception of service delivery. Also, the number of escorts that our law enforcement staff provide to line departments has skyrocketed – [and] does mean that resources are stretched.” The municipality said it was constantly re-evaluating its safety measures to see how these could be improved. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Robbers target three Eastern Cape health facilities in 48 hours News24 reports that three Eastern Cape Department of Health facilities were targeted by criminals in just 48 hours in incidents, including one in which a vehicle was stolen. Four security guards were held at gunpoint by four men at the Eastern Cape Department of Health's Lilitha Nursing College in East London at midnight on Wednesday. The thieves made off with the campus bakkie. Earlier on Wednesday, a man stormed into St Elizabeth Hospital in Lusikisiki and held an emergency medical services' staff member at knifepoint, before robbing him of his cellphone. Two laptops were stolen at the department's legal offices in Bhisho on Tuesday. Department spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase confirm that armed thugs illegally gained entry to the central Lilitha College of Nursing at midnight and hijacked an Isuzu bakkie after accosting security guards at gunpoint. Ndamase also confirmed the robbery incident at St Elizabeth Hospital. "The department has since increased the visibility of security guards. We have also strengthened metal detector usage at the gate [of the hospital]," said Ndamase. He added that both cases had been reported to the police for investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Miner killed, 20 injured in rockfall at Blyvoor Gold mine near Carletonville The Citizen reports that tragedy struck at Aurous Resources’ Blyvooruitzicht (Blyvoor) Gold mine near Carletonville on Thursday morning, when a rockfall claimed the life of a mine worker and injured several others. The fall at the underground Witwatersrand gold mine is believed to have been caused by an earthquake which struck mere minutes before the incident. According to Volcano Discovery, a seismic event with a magnitude of 3.2 was recorded 16km southwest of Carletonville at 9.38am. Carletonville Herald reported that emergency medical service (EMS) and ER24 crews responded to the incident at the mine at about 9.40am. One of the miners involved in the incident succumbed to his injuries on the scene, while two others are in a serious condition. Another 12 mineworkers sustained serious injuries but are stable. Six were treated for minor injuries. Operations at Blyvoor mine were suspended in August 2013 following its liquidation. Since the restart of production at the Blyvoor mine in 2022, Aurous has reportedly been able to re-employ approximately 1,500 workers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cornelia Le Roux at The Citizen Seven suspects arrested for extortion at Carolina mine using a fake court order IOL News reports that seven suspects between the ages of 38 and 46 have been arrested for extortion at a mine in Carolina, Mpumalanga. Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said that on Wednesday evening, the group of men arrived at the mine and presented a fraudulent court order demanding that mining activities should cease immediately. "This resulted in the closure of production and these men are also said to have demanded payment from the mine," said Mdhluli. On Thursday, the Carolina police were called by the mine to check and assist in verifying the court order. "Upon further investigation, the courts seem to have no knowledge or record of this court order hence a case of fraud with an additional charge of extortion was opened," Mdhluli said. When it was discovered that the court order was not legitimate, the seven suspects were arrested and charged with fraud and extortion. They are expected to appear at the Carolina Magistrate's Court on Friday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinenhlanhla Masilela at IOL News
Body retrieved as Stilfontein illegal miners claim in new letter that more than 100 have died The Citizen reports that for the first time in two weeks, illegal miners underground at an abandoned mine in Stilfontein, North West, have provided an update on their dire conditions. This came as another body was retrieved from the mine by volunteers. Rescue efforts have been ongoing since November, as law enforcement intensified operations to curb illegal mining under Operation Vala Umgodi. Despite these efforts, hundreds of miners remain underground. Six more miners emerged from one of the mine shafts on Wednesday. On Thursday, community volunteers assisting the miners used a newly rebuilt pulley system to send down food, water, and basic supplies after the original structure was destroyed. The last delivery to the illegal miners (zama zamas) had been on Christmas Eve. Later in the day, a new letter from the zama zamas emerged. It claimed that at least 109 people had died underground amid worsening conditions. The miners requested additional items such as washing powder and face masks. Meanwhile, the human rights group Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) has approached the Constitutional Court in an effort to compel the police and government to provide food and supplies to the miners. The organisation has raised serious concerns about conditions underground, including reports of severe starvation and claims of cannibalism. Several government ministers have been named as respondents in Macua’s court application. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Molefe Seeletsa at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Mkhize apologises to Royal AM players for non-payment of December salaries The Citizen reports that Royal AM president Shauwn Mkhize has apologised to her players after they weren’t paid their December salaries. The non-payment of salaries resulted in a strike and the club’s inability to honour its Betway Premiership fixture against Chippa United. The match, scheduled for Saturday, was postponed by the Premier Soccer League (PSL). In a statement, Mkhize admitted that the club was placed under curatorship after the SA Revenue Service obtained a preservation order. The statement indicated: “Royal AM wishes to address the situation regarding the nonpayment of salaries for December, affecting our players, technical team, and staff. We acknowledge the hardship this has caused and extend our apologies to those affected, including their families. As many are aware, the club is under curatorship after a preservation order obtained by Sars. While this has resulted in the temporary appointment of a curator, Jaco Venter, to oversee the club’s assets and operations, we assure stakeholders that Royal AM remains committed to resolving this matter as swiftly as possible. The club’s management team, led by our CEO and GM, has been working with the curator to secure permission to release funds for salary payments.” Meanwhile, Chippa United released a statement expressing its displeasure about the PSL’s ‘last minute’ decision to postpone the game against Royal AM. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khaya Ndubane at The Citizen
Two security guards who dragged patient across floor at Cape Town hospital suspended The Citizen reports that the Western Cape government has announced the suspension of two security guards following an incident at Karl Bremer Hospital in Bellville in Cape Town where a patient was dragged across the floor. “Karl Bremer Hospital acknowledges and deeply regrets the incident depicted in the video circulating on social media, where a patient was involved in an interaction with a security officer. We are committed to ensuring that all individuals who come through our doors are treated with the utmost dignity, respect, and care,” said the province’s Department of Health and Wellness spokesperson, Dwayne Evans. He said the hospital had conducted a thorough investigation, which included reviewing medical records, interviewing staff members, and analysing security footage. While acknowledging that the patient’s behaviour had presented difficulties, the Western Cape government emphasised that the security personnel’s response had been unacceptable. “We are also collaborating with our contracted security service provider, who has initiated their own internal investigation and taken proactive disciplinary steps,” Evans advised. The hospital is implementing comprehensive corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, including mandatory refresher and additional training for all security personnel, focusing on conflict de-escalation, patient management, and adherence to hospital protocols. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Enkosi Selane at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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