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.
Students 'lock in' Unisa staff members in Durban demanding 24 hour work for registrations
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The Mercury reports that students at the University of SA (Unisa) “locked in” staff members at the Durban campus on Monday afternoon demanding that they should work for “24 hours” to register the waiting students.
Two JMPD traffic officers killed as car of suspected drunk driver crashes into roadblock
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Timeslive reports that two Johannesburg metro police officers were killed on Monday night when a suspected drunk driver slammed into the roadblock they were operating.
Unionised Dis-Chem employees to receive their bonuses by 5 February following protest
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SowetanLive reports that the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) has reached an agreement with Dis-Chem after its members downed tools for non-payment of bonuses.
Cape Town firefighter killed fighting blaze on Table Mountain slopes
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Cape Argus reports that the firefighter who died battling a blaze on the slopes of Table Mountain on Sunday has been identified as 33-year-old Candice Kruger.
‘Bungled’ minimum wage bill excludes independent contractors and other vulnerable workers
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BusinessLive reports that the narrow definition of workers as "employees" used in the National Minimum Wage Bill was not agreed on when the policy was drafted at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac).
Web links to selected labour news reports posted on Monday, 29 January 2018
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Our links page provides references to South African labour news reports we have come across on the Internet on Monday, 29 January 2018.
Repairing weak leadership at mine level crucial in saving SA’s mining sector, says Gideon du Plessis
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Solidarity’s general secretary, Gideon du Plessis, writes about the call made by Chamber of Mines CEO Roger Baxter in a New Year’s message for “collaborative leadership among interested parties” to “make mining matter” in 2018.
Deputy sheriff of court dies in fall from ladder into sea while trying to execute warrant
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The Herald reports that police and the SA Maritime Safety Authority are investigating the death of a deputy sheriff of the court‚ who plunged at least 8m into the ocean while climbing a steep ladder to execute a warrant of arrest on Liberian vessel the Blue Marlin I.
Two employees in Joburg City’s finance department suspended for being part of fraud syndicate
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Timeslive reports that two employees working in the City of Johannesburg’s group finance department have been suspended for allegedly fraudulently transferring R800‚000 to attorneys.
Gauteng education department to ask SACE to strike sex scandal principal off teachers’ roll
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SowetanLive reports that Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) was due on Monday to formally ask the country's professional body for teachers, the SA Council of Educator (SACE), to strike off the roll a principal implicated in a sex scandal.
No work for SA’s youngest heart specialist aged 32
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City Press writes that, unbelievable as it may sound, Dr Viwe Mtwesi (32), South Africa’s youngest cardiologist, is unemployed.
Security guard at Umlazi clinic kills two supervisors after argument about absence on duty
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The Mercury reports that a security guard has shot dead two supervisors allegedly following an argument after he was absent while on duty at an Umlazi clinic.
Amid strike, Numsa to meet Wits University to discuss new wage offer
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ANA reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) said on Monday it would be meeting with management of the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) to discuss a new wage offer for striking workers.
Cash-strapped Denel faces management clean-up
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BusinessLive reports that cash-strapped Denel, under intense pressure from lenders to improve governance, looks set to become the next state-owned entity after Eskom to undergo a management clean-up, starting with a new board.
Mixed reaction to proposal of community service by students in exchange for free education
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The Sunday Independent reports that proposals by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) that students would be required to commit themselves to 80 hours of community service in return for free education has been met with mixed feelings.
English teachers needed at Overvaal‚ not protests, says Angie Motshekga
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Timeslive reports that Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says practical steps need to be taken before English classes can be considered at the Hoërskool Overvaal in Vereeniging.
Web links to selected labour news reports posted from Friday, 26 January to Sunday, 28 January 2018
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Our links page provides references to South African labour news reports we have come across on the Internet from Friday, 26 January to Sunday, 28 January 2018.
Teacher union and DA call for SAHRC probe of Hoërskool Overvaal hate speech
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IOL News reports that a teacher union has turned to the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), asking that it probe complaints of hate speech and racism emanating from protests at the Hoërskool Overvaal.
Parents accuse teachers at Parktown Boys High of victimising sexual assault victims
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EWN reports that the Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed that it is investigating allegations of victimisation of some pupils by teachers at Parktown Boys High School following a sexual assault scandal at the school.
Commission of inquiry urgently needed to probe extent of sexual abuse in Gauteng schools, says DA
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ANA reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) has repeated its call for a commission of inquiry to probe the extent of sexual abuse in Gauteng schools and to establish a toll-free line for pupils to report instances of such abuse.
Wits University lecturer to be probed for calling striking workers 'monkeys'
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The New Age reports that the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) said on Sunday that it would probe the incident of a white lecturer from the School of Mechanical Engineering who referred in email correspondence to striking workers at the institution as ‘monkeys’.
Artisan training in aviation field to benefit over 40 North West youth
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SABC News reports that over 40 previously disadvantaged students from villages, townships and small towns in the North West have been granted an opportunity to further their technical and aviation skills at the Denel Technical Academy in Kempton Park.
Formal sit-down with mediator needed to end ‘toxic’ DUT strike, says management
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Daily News reports that management at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) said on Thursday they were only prepared to meet disgruntled strikers if unions agreed to a formal sit-down with a mediator.
Agri SA can't say if new minimum wage for farmworkers is fair as it doesn’t represent workers
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Business Report writes that agricultural sector association Agri SA on Wednesday said that it could not say whether the recent increase in minimum wages for farm and forestry workers was fair or not.
Limpopo police officer honoured for commitment at SAPS National Excellence Awards
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News24 reports that a Limpopo police officer, who was shot six times, was honoured for his commitment to the police during the 5th National Excellence Awards held in Durban on Friday evening.
Sanco calls for action against school principal allegedly caught on sex video with pupils
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ANA reports that according to the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), criminal charges should be pursued against the Reiger Park High School principal who resigned after “his alleged sex video with pupils” emerged on social media last week.
Days that employees will want off in 2018 to pair with public holidays to create long weekends
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BusinessTech writes that the Day of Reconciliation (16 December) is the only public holiday that falls on a Sunday in 2018, making the next day a public holiday as well.
With lectures starting on Monday, talks to resolve Wits strike continue on Sunday
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EWN reports that the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) has denied accusations of employee exploitation as wage negotiations with unions continue without resolution.
Cosatu scraps Sun Met protest on Saturday after assurance about Jooste
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BusinessLive reports that Cosatu had threatened to demonstrate at the Sun Met‚ in Kenilworth‚ on Saturday if horses owned by disgraced former Steinhoff boss Markus Jooste were to run, but the planned protest was called off.
Strike called off after Unisa, unions reach wage agreement on Friday
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ANA reports that the strike at the University of SA (Unisa) has been called off with immediate effect, the university has indicated in a statement.