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.
Health system in crisis and NHI will bring stability, Ramaphosa tells NUM congress
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BusinessLive reports that, addressing the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) congress on Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the health system was in a crisis.
Sibanye-Stillwater’s thin executive line under scrutiny after mine deaths
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Business Times writes that, on the surface with a leadership team of only 55 people overseeing more than six operations in SA, Sibanye-Stillwater's (SS’s) management seems stretched to an alarming degree.
Joseph Montisetse unseats Piet Matosa as NUM president
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eNCA reports that Joseph Montisetse is the new president of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM).
Government eyes staff cuts, hiring caps after public sector wage deal
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Reuters reports that the Treasury said on Friday that government was considering layoffs and early retirement packages for staff in the public sector to avoid breaking its pledge to cut spending.
Nelson Mandela Bay municipal strike ends, with agreement on back-pay of long service bonuses
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GroundUp reports that the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan (NMBM) municipal workers called off their strike on Friday after an agreement was reached on back-pay of long-service bonuses.
Public Servants Association welcomes Medical Schemes and NHI proposals 'with caution'
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Timeslive reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) has welcomed “with caution” aspects of the proposed Medical Schemes Amendment Bill and the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill announced on Thursday.
Unions lash out as wage talks delayed to give Eskom more time to consider demands
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BusinessLive reports that wage negotiations at Eskom have been delayed again after the power utility told unions on Thursday it needed more time to consider their demands.
Afternoon roundup of labour news on Thursday, 21 June 2018
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In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Thursday, 21 June 2018.
Mosebenzi Zwane responsible for increase in mine accidents, NUM says
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BusinessLive reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has blamed a spike in mining accidents that have resulted in dozens of deaths on failures perpetuated by former mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane.
NUM forced to confront uncomfortable debt issues and membership losses
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BusinessLive writes that the former leaders of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) left the organisation almost in tatters, with large amounts of debt and dwindling membership when they vacated office in 2015.
As N3 Van Reenen's blockade is cleared, 62 protestors arrested
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News24 reports that sixty-two people have been arrested as the N3 at Van Reenen's pass was reopened on Thursday after a blockade by truck drivers on Wednesday closed the national route.
Eskom wage negotiations enter final day on Thursday
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ANA reports that wage negotiations between Eskom and trade unions entered their third and final day on Thursday after workers rejected the 4.7% wage offer from the embattled state-owned power utility.
Chaotic scenes on first day of NUM’s national congress
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Sowetan reports that factional battles over leadership choices at the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) spilled out into the open at its hotly contested elective national congress that got under way in Boksburg on Wednesday.
Nelson Mandela Metro tables offer in bid to resolve crippling strike over bonus backpay
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HeraldLive reports that the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro has finally tabled an offer to its two municipal unions in an effort to break the back of the crippling strike in the city. But this is likely to add further strain to the massive deficit the Bay is facing.
Emergency personnel union condemns burning of ambulance at Northam in Limpopo
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ANA reports that the South African Emergency Personnel’s Union (Saepu) on Thursday condemned the attack, assault and burning of an ambulance at Northam in Limpopo early on Thursday morning.
Call for Pretoria police officer facing criminal charges of workplace racism to be suspended
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The Star reports that officers at the Pretoria Central police station who filed various internal and criminal complaints against Captain James Henrico are frustrated about having to bump into him at work every day.
Department of Public Enterprises says SA Express employees will get June salaries
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Business Report writes that SA Express employees would get their June salaries, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) said on Wednesday night.
Security at Mpumalanga hospitals and clinics to be beefed up after patient stabs nurse
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Afro Voice reports that the Mpumalanga department of health has promised to strengthen its security measures at hospitals and clinics in the entire province.
Van Reenen's Pass reopened after protest over wages and foreign truck drivers
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eNCA reports that all lanes going in both directions at Van Reenen’s Pass between Harrismith and Tugela Plaza/Ladysmith were re-opened to traffic again on Thursday morning.
Tshwane prevented from delivering services due to attacks on staff members
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The Citizen reports that City of Tshwane officials have been exposed to danger while attempting to deliver services to communities, with the latest attack being on a plumbing team that was pelted with bricks in Atteridgeville.
Malmesbury train driver's teen killers get maximum sentences of 25-years in jail
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News24 reports that the convicted killers of Malmesbury train driver Piet Botha received the maximum possible sentences for crimes committed by minors, during sentencing in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday.
Sibanye-Stillwater appoints safety executive, to fund study to enhance risk management
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Mining Weekly reports that following a spate of fatalities at its SA mines this year, Sibanye-Stillwater has appointed Dr Kobus de Jager as corporate head of safety, with a mandate to review and enhance the company’s safety management.
Unions reject Eskom’s 4.7% wage increase offer, make counter-proposal
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BusinessLive reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa)‚ the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Solidarity have rejected Eskom’s offer of a 4.7% wage hike.
Afternoon roundup of labour news on Wednesday, 20 June 2018
- Details
In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Wednesday, 20 June 2018.
Sibanye-Stillwater says regression of safe working conditions at its operations unacceptable
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ANA reports that Sibanye-Stillwater admitted on Wednesday that the substantial regression of safe working conditions underground at its operations was unacceptable.
Truck drivers’ protest closes off N3 highway at Van Reenen’s Pass on Wednesday morning
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ANA reports that more than 100 trucks blocked the N3 at Van Reenen’s Pass on Wednesday morning as local truck drivers protested against the hiring of foreign nationals.
Consumer inflation at 4.4% in May surprises on downside
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BusinessLive reports that consumer inflation surprised economists by slowing in May to 4.4% from 4.5% in the previous month despite the implementation of a VAT hike in April.
Pressing issues at this week’s NUM national congress
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Afro Voice reports that the revised mining charter and escalating fatalities were due to come under focus during the three-day NUM national congress, which started on Wednesday in Boksburg.
Port Elizabeth city centre trashed on Tuesday as municipal strike turned ugly
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HeraldLive reports that striking municipal workers torched dustbins, littered streets in the Port Elizabeth city centre with rubbish and barred those who were at work from leaving the municipal buildings on Tuesday as their protest entered its sixth day.
Two Eastern Cape varsities on shutdown with deadlocked wage talks
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DispatchLive reported on Tuesday that two Eastern Cape universities, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) and University of Fort Hare (UFH), were on total shutdown as wage negotiations between management and unions remained deadlocked.