Today's Labour News
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.
Constitutional Court provides relief for dismissed soldiers
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City Press reports that a Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruling has granted protection to members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) against the abuse afforded by a Defence Act provision dealing with dismissals from the army.
Duduza Clinic in Ekurhuleni to be re-opened following Covid-19 health scare
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Independent News reports that according to Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina, the Duduza Clinic, which was shut down following a Covid-19 case, will be re-opened on Wednesday.
Health workers decry alleged strict rules on masks at Durban private hospital
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Daily News reports that health-care workers at a Durban private hospital have apparently complained about the hospital’s strict rules on the use of masks.
Prisoners and staff at East London Female Correctional Centre to be tested after official tests positive for Covid-19
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TimesLIVE reports that a female official working at the East London Female Correctional Centre, in Westbank, has tested positive for Covid-19, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) advised on Monday.
Hundreds of informal traders get permits to work in locked-down Johannesburg
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TimesLIVE reports that hundreds of informal traders will now be able to ply their trade on the streets of Johannesburg during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Reserve Bank urges banks to halt dividends and executive cash bonuses in 2020
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BL Premium reports that the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) has urged banks to halt dividend payouts and bonuses to shore up capital and continue lending to businesses and households pummelled by the Covid-19 national lockdown.
Tripartite alliance rejects Covid-19 support from IMF, proposes domestic sources of funding including private retirement funds
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BL Premium reports that the ANC-led tripartite alliance has formed a task team to engage the government on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, but it has ruled out approaching the IMF for assistance.
International Labour Organisation postpones annual conference over Covid-19
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BusinessLive reports that the International Labour Organisation (ILO), a UN agency that sets global labour standards, has become the latest institution to cancel a conference due to Covid-19.
More than 2,300 employees have so far chosen to voluntarily leave Telkom
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BL Premium reports that according to communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Telkom has cut more than three-quarters of the jobs it intended to reduce, thus getting a step closer to saving an estimated R10bn in wage costs.
Amcu says no to mines returning to limited operations
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BusinessLive reports that ahead of talks with mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe and other unions, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) has drawn a clear line in opposing the piecemeal return to work at some mines and plants with reduced workforces.
Afternoon roundup of labour news on Monday, 6 April 2020
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In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Monday, 6 April 2020.
‘Criticism of Sizakele Mzimela’s appointment as CEO of Transnet Freight Rail uninformed’
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ANA writes that Bonang Mohale, chancellor of the University of the Free State, said on Friday that criticism of Sizakele Mzimela’s ability to head Transnet Freight Rail was uninformed.
Workers at Independent Development Trust (IDT) given three-month lifeline
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Mail & Guardian reports that in a last-minute reprieve, 90 employees of the ailing Independent Development Trust (IDT) were given a three-month extension of their contracts, despite plans by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPW&I) to dissolve the state-owned company.
RCL executives in line for early share incentive scheme payouts despite underperformance
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BL Premium reports that RCL’s decision to help top executives cash out of a supposed long-term share incentive scheme has infuriated shareholder activists and embarrassed parent company Remgro.
Salaries of PSL players safe for now
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Sunday Times reports that the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has not considered the issue of salary pay cuts for players yet. In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, major leagues around the world have been suspended and leading clubs have announced various salary cuts.
Gauteng transport department launches programme to sanitise taxi ranks
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SABC News reports that the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport was scheduled on Monday to launch a programme to support taxi ranks and transport modes with sanitisation of commuters and vehicles to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Aspen Pharmacare pauses retrenchment process until after lockdown
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DispatchLive reports that the coronavirus has given more than 100 Aspen Pharmacare workers a temporary reprieve as the giant pharmaceutical company has halted its retrenchment process.
Gauteng health department calls for donations of personal protective equipment
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SABC News reports that the Gauteng health department has called for donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ventilators.
IT group EOH set to cut staff salaries by up to 20% amid Covid-19 economic shock
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TechCentral reports that EOH Holdings is poised to slash employee salaries by as much as 20% in an effort to stave off a potential Covid-19 lockdown-induced crisis at the IT services group.
Wine industry in bittersweet situation with harvesting allowed during lockdown, but exports denied
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Engineering News reports that 2020 wine grape crop will still yield exceptional wines despite uncertainty at first considering SA’s lockdown practices, according to industry body Vinpro.
Woolworths to continue to pay staff during lockdown, while executives take pay cut
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BusinessLive reports that retailer Woolworths will continue to pay staff during the Covid-19 shutdown, while senior management will forgo up to 30% of their fees and salaries over the next three months to provide additional support to employees.
SA Military Health Service to call up civilian healthcare practitioners in fight against Covid-19
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ANA reports that on Sunday the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) called up registered healthcare practitioners to join forces with serving members in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prayers for Saftu’s Zwelinzima Vavi as coronavirus lands him in hospital
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SowetanLive reports that well-known labour movement leader Zwelinzima Vavi has been admitted to hospital after contracting Covid-19.
Roundup on Monday, 6 April 2020 of weekend labour reports
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In our roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 3 April 2020.
Soldiers patrolling streets during lockdown in 'unsafe gear' that doesn’t meet safety standards
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Sunday Times reports that soldiers helping to enforce the coronavirus lockdown have been put at risk by sanitisers and face masks that do not meet safety standards.
Fear grips vulnerable KZN health workers over Covid-19
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City Press reports that nurses in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have expressed fear and trepidation over “what is coming” as SA battles to contain the Covid-19 coronavirus.
Nehawu tells Labour Court that health professionals forced to buy own personal protective equipment
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Sunday Independent reports that according to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), health professionals at the forefront of the government’s fight against the Covid-19 pandemic have been forced to buy their own personal protective equipment (PPE).
Minerals Council warns mines must return to work on 17 April ‘or face permanent damage’
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BL Premium reports that SA’s mining sector must return to work at the end of the 21-day lockdown or face permanent damage after having already estimated to lose a fifth of April’s production and R7bn in wages during the period.
Two Covid-19 positive doctors ‘forced’ into a Limpopo quarantine facility
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BusinessLive reports that two doctors working at a Mpumalanga hospital were forced into a quarantine facility in Limpopo despite already self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.
Fifty-five construction workers arrested at Joburg building site for contravening lockdown
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News24 reports that workers at a Johannesburg construction site were arrested after they were found at work despite the national lockdown.