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.
Roundup of labour news on Friday, 19 August 2016
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In our Friday roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that have appeared since
midday on Thursday, 18 August 2016.
Lonmin CEO refutes statement that miners prefer living in shacks
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News24 reports that Lonmin will investigate a statement made by its spokesperson that miners at its platinum mine in Marikana do not want houses and want to live in informal settlements.
We are led by stupid people, Mathunjwa says about DMR at Lily Mine protest
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ANA reports that an irate Amcu leader Joseph Mathunjwa refused to hand over a memorandum to Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) officials during a protest in Pretoria on Thursday.
Runaway locomotive causes death of train driver in Northern Cape
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The United National Transport Union (UNTU) announced on Friday that a runaway diesel locomotive on Thursday caused the tragic death of train driver and member Alexander Flemming.
CGE says decriminalise sex trade to protect workers' rights
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Cape Times reports that the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) says the decriminalisation of sex work is the only viable approach to protecting and promoting the rights and dignity of sex workers.
Teacher who filmed himself having sex with pupils suspended
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The Mercury writes that a scandal has erupted at a high school in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), where at least one male teacher has been suspended and several others face an investigation of allegations that they had sex with pupils.
Miners detained during Marikana strike to be paid out in next few months
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BDLive reports that the Presidency says the government will make settlement offers in the next few months to those who were unlawfully detained during the 2012 strike at Lonmin’s Marikana mine.
Limpopo cop killers’ life terms confirmed by full bench
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The Citizen reports that a full bench of the North Gauteng High Court has confirmed the life sentences imposed on four would-be robbers for the murder of a policeman, who was shot dead by a co-perpetrator who has since died.
What was the point of the petrol strike, asks CE of employer body Neasa
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The Citizen reports that according to the National Employers’ Association of SA (Neasa), South Africa’s sluggish economic growth has given employers the upper hand in wage negotiations and made them particularly stubborn.
Telkom concerned sabotage may further threaten infrastructure, as strike continues
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EWN reports that Telkom says it’s concerned further acts of sabotage could be carried out on its infrastructure, as a strike among some of its workers continues.
Amcu marches to demand resumption of Lily Mine rescue
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Mining Weekly reports that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) on Thursday staged a march to the offices of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) in Pretoria.
Eskom says its above-inflation wage deal won’t affect future tariffs
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Financial Mail reports that Eskom says its above-inflation wage settlement with trade unions will not affect its future tariff trajectory because it is making savings in other areas, such as diesel consumption.
Panel starts work on national minimum wage level
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BDLive reports that the seven economists appointed to set the country’s national minimum wage (NMW) began their work on Thursday with labour federation Cosatu warning the state to approach the process with urgency.
Gautrain strike not off the cards, with CCMA ruling due in 14 days’ time
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ANA reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) and Gautrain operator Bombela failed to reach an agreement at the CCMA following threats of union members going on strike due to a wage disagreement.
Four years after Marikana shooting, victims still await payment of claims
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BDLive reports that the Presidency said on Thursday that the government will make an offer of payments in full settlement of claims arising from the 2012 Marikana shooting in due course.
Platinum belt’s silent struggle with sexual assault
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Marelise van der Merwe reports that on the fourth anniversary of the Marikana massacre, a new report by Doctors Without Borders (MSF / Medicins sans Frontieres) has highlighted the disturbingly high levels of sexual assault – on women, men and children – in the platinum mining belt.
'We are mothers, sisters, friends', sex workers tell MPs in bid for decriminalisation
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News24 reports that the message sex workers delivered to Members of Parliament on Wednesday during a multi-party women's caucus meeting was that they were mothers, sisters, friends, caregivers and also women who just happened to be a sex workers.
Wage talks deadlock between Gautrain workers’ union, employer
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EWN reports that the United National Transport Union (UNTU) says talks with Gautrain bosses have reached a deadlock and they’re now waiting for a decision from the CCMA on whether or not workers can go on strike.
As Telkom offers R500,000 reward iro acts of sabotage, CWU denies involvement
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NEWS24WIRE reports that striking Telkom workers have denied involvement in the alleged sabotage of several of the telecom company’s network facilities across the country.
Widening the net of UIF coverage ‘has pitfalls’
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BDLive reports that providing unemployment cover for people who resign and have no alternative employment and those who work in the informal sector, as recommended by Nedlac, would be fraught with problems.
It’s a ‘bitter pill to swallow’, but Samwu accepts ANC loss of power in several councils
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ANA reports that the Cosatu-affiliated SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) has accepted the outcome of the local government elections and the resultant coalitions.
Miners want to live in shacks not houses, says Lonmin's Sue Vey
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News24 reports that according to Sue Vey, Lonmin spokesperson, miners at the platinum producer’s mine in Marikana do not want houses; they want to live in informal settlements.
CWU denies intimidation of non-strikers at Telkom strike
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ITWeb reports that the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has denied Telkom's claims that its members intimidated and threatened non-striking workers outside its campus in Centurion on Monday.
KZN govt. works hard to allay fears of job losses due to municipal mergers
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BDLive writes about fears that municipal mergers in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will lead to large-scale job losses, demotions or loss of prestige and about the efforts of the provincial government to allay those concerns.
Petrol sector strike ends with agreement on Wednesday
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Times Live reports that the National Petroleum Employers' Association (NPEA) and the Chemical Energy Paper Printing Wood and Allied Workers' Union (Ceppwawu) have entered into an agreement‚ ending the petroleum sector strike.
Proposed sugar tax could cost up to 70,000 jobs, study indicates
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BDLive reports that the Beverage Association of SA (BevSA) has warned that up to 70,000 jobs in the industry could be lost if the Treasury’s mooted tax on sugar-sweetened drinks were to be implemented in its current form.
Lily miners receive provident fund payments after months with no pay
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SABC News reports that there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel for the Lily Gold Mine workers who lost their jobs after a massive shaft collapse in February. After not receiving pay for three months, workers have finally received money from their provident fund.
Fears about ARV supply due to strike prompts EFF protest at Aspen plant
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HeraldLive reports that the EFF joined protesting Aspen Pharmacare workers on Tuesday at the Port Elizabeth plant because they fear the ongoing strike could affect the supply of antiretrovirals (ARVs).
Web links to selected labour news reports posted on 16 August 2016
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Our links page provides references to South African labour news reports we have come across on the Internet on Tuesday, 16 August 2016
Racism defamation suit involving Ferial Haffajee and City Press settled
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BDLive reports that a racism defamation lawsuit against Media24 and former City Press editor Ferial Haffajee has been settled, according to Media24’s lawyer.