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.
Economist warns that ‘SA can’t afford public servants’ 4.7% salary increase’
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The Citizen reports that government’s announcement ahead of the long weekend of a 4.7% salary increment might have been good news for public servants, but economists reckon otherwise.
SA consumer inflation rate at four-month high in advance of interest rate call next week
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Bloomberg reports that SA’s consumer inflation rate climbed to a four-month high in February, likely cementing the SA Reserve Bank’s (SARB’s) resolve to keep borrowing costs on hold when it meets next week.
Average salary increases in February suggest better year for take-home pay
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The Citizen reports that the monthly BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BTPI) experienced another positive month in February.
Numsa calls for equality in Human Rights Day message
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TimesLIVE reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) on Thursday commemorated Human Rights Day by honouring the memory of the people killed in the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960 while protesting against the “dompas” system.
Morning roundup of labour news on Friday, 22 March 2024
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In our Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related reports.
Sibanye halts work at Siphumelele shaft after surface mishap; no injuries reported
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BL Premium reports that Sibanye-Stillwater suspended production at the Siphumelele shaft of its PGM operations in Rustenburg on 29 February after surface infrastructure was damaged.
Truck driver arrested for possession of stolen RBM minerals worth R15 million
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News24 reports that officers deployed to KwaZulu-Natal to combat the killing of mining executives and the theft of minerals arrested a truck driver, who was in possession of R15.5 million worth of stolen Zircon and Chloride from Richards Bay Minerals (RBM).
Two former Free State housing officials get suspended sentences for taking bribes, falsifying documents
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Fin24 reports that two former Free State housing officials have been handed suspended sentences after admitting to soliciting bribes from service providers between 2009 and 2012.
Public servants to receive 4.7% wage increase on 1 April in line with March 2023 wage deal with four unions
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BusinessLive reports that SA’s public servants are set to receive a wage increase of 4.7% on 1 April in line with a wage deal signed by the government and four unions at the public service coordinating bargaining council (PSCBC) on 31 March 2023.
Cape Town commuters say second Golden Arrow price hike in six months a 'massive burden'
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News24 reports that frustrated Cape Town bus commuters say Golden Arrow Bus Services' (GABS) price hikes are a major blow to the poor who struggle to get to their daily destinations.
eThekwini Municipality teams working to restore services impacted by Samwu strike
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IOL News reports that eThekwini Municipality teams are working to restore crucial services impacted by the protracted strike by SA Municipal Workers Union-affiliated staff that was suspended last week.
Durban cop who demanded bribes to squash case dockets sent to jail for 12 years
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IOL News reports that a KwaZulu-Natal policeman, who was found guilty of demanding a gratification to get rid of case dockets, was this week sentenced to direct imprisonment of 12 years.
Cosatu calls for more public transport investment as petrol prices set to climb again
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Cape Times reports that with fuel prices expected to increase again, trade union federation Cosatu says the government should invest more in public transport and Transnet to cushion the poor from the rising cost of living.
Cabinet's lifestyle audits are finally under way, Ramaphosa reports
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TimesLIVE reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa told parliament on Tuesday that after several delays, the much-awaited lifestyle audits of members of his executive were firmly under way.
SA Post Office to close some 235 branches nationwide, says Gungubele
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Cape Times reports that about 235 SA Post Office (Sapo) branches are set to be closed, leading to employees being retrenched, after the conclusion of a ‘section 189’ process conducted by the CCMA.
Labour department talks tough on undocumented foreigners employed in SA
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The Star reports that the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has issued a stern warning to SA companies that employ undocumented foreigners in their workplaces.
SABC and CWU fail to reach agreement in CCMA wage dispute conciliation
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SABC News reports that the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has provided an update regarding the wage negotiations for the 2023-24 financial year between the public broadcaster and the Communications Workers Union (CWU).
Morning roundup of labour news on Wednesday, 20 March 2024
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In our Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related reports.
No two-pot retirement system withdrawals already by 1 September
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The Citizen reports that although many of the six million who are members of retirement funds are looking forward to dipping into a portion of their retirement savings by 1 September this year when the Two-Pot Retirement System comes into operation, they will not already be able to make withdrawals on 1 September.
Over 5,000 unemployed agriculture graduates dumped by department plead with Ramaphosa for intervention
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The Star reports that over 5,000 assistant agricultural practitioners (AAP) left hanging after the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development terminated the graduates' contracts, are hoping that the President will come to their aid and reinstate them to their jobs.
Helen Suzman Foundation takes on Minister at ConCourt over Zimbabwean Exemption Permits
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GroundUp reports that the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has gone to court to oppose a bid by Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Minister Aaron Motsoaledi to appeal against a ruling that he may not terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) programme.
Nearly 6,000 public officials face punitive steps over R350 grant fraud
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Cape Times reports that the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) has referred nearly 6,000 civil servants who defrauded the agency of the R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grants to their departments for disciplinary proceedings.
Where are truck drivers allowed to sleep on long-haul journeys?
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TimesLIVE examines the issue of whether picnic stops on the sides of national freeways are legal stopping points for trucks and whether drivers can rest at the sites overnight?
Two Western Cape police officers face jail time for fraud and corruption after being caught in cigarette sting more than 12 years ago
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News24 reports that more than 12 years since their arrest, two former police officers will be sentenced for fraud and corruption in the Cape Town Regional Court on Tuesday.
eThekwini head of electricity slapped with notice of intent to suspend over ‘sabotage’ allegations in relation to strike
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IOL News reports that eThekwini Municipality head of electricity, Maxwell Mthembu has been issued a notice of intention to suspend and ordered to vacate his office.
Morning roundup of labour news on Tuesday, 19 March 2024
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In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related reports.
Warning about corruption at Tshwane driving licence testing centres
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Pretoria News reports that the public in Tshwane have been warned not to fall prey to fraud and corruption by scammers at municipal driving licence testing centres.
Skills development central to fixing water quality issues, says BLSA’s Mavuso
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Engineering News reports that in her latest weekly newsletter published on Monday, Business Leadership SA (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso addressed the major challenge of local government’s mismanagement of water infrastructure, which is leading to an increase in water shortages and questionable water quality.
Government's longest-serving DG, Dr Phil Mjwara at Science and Innovation, bows out
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ITWeb reports that Dr Phil Mjwara, the Department of Science and Innovation’s (DSI’s) long-standing director-general (DG), has retired.
Worker killed after sandbank collapses at Amanzimtoti construction site
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IOL News reports that a worker was killed and a second man injured after a sandbank collapsed onto them in Mount Road, in Amanzimtoti, south of Durban on Monday.