Today's Labour News

newsThis 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.

Untu claims surprise suspension of Prasa CEO is sabotage

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UNTUBL Premium reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) has alleged that the suspension of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA’s (Prasa’s) CEO is part of a broader campaign to sabotage state-owned entities and a push back against the drive to tackle corruption at parastatals.

Netcare holds back on mandatory Covid-19 vaccination of employees

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netcareBL Premium reports that private hospital group Netcare is holding back on making Covid-19 vaccination compulsory, saying it would rather persuade than compel its employees to get jabbed.

Interest groups write to warn Nxesi against 'destructive' occupational disease regulations

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nxesiFin24 reports that a group of associations has warned Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi in an open letter that draft regulations under the Compensation of Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Coida) would be financially detrimental to workers and medical service providers.

Roundup on Monday, 22 November 2021 of weekend labour reports

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news shutterstockIn our roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 19 November 2021.

Following release on bail, VBS corruption-accused back at work, with education department’s blessing

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newsSaturday Citizen reports that corruption and money laundering-accused Johannes Mohlala is back at work as North West education department administrator following his release on bail, ostensibly with the blessing of the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

Fears that Massmart strike could spread within retail sector

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MassmartBusiness Times reports that the SA Commercial Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (Saccawu) on Friday began an indefinite strike at Walmart-owned Massmart, sparking concern this could spill over into the rest of the sector, which is already facing rising costs and a weak economy.

Several ANC leaders join staff picketing outside NEC meeting over unpaid salaries

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ancIOL reports that several ANC leaders employed in the party’s head office, Luthuli House, on Sunday joined staff protesting outside the venue of a special national executive committee (NEC) over non-payment of salaries.

CCMA starting to receive complaints of people being fired for not taking Covid-19 vaccine

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CCMASunday Independent reports that Covid-19 vaccines are not mandatory in SA and yet some employers have started firing or retrenching unvaccinated employees.

UASA, Implats sign settlement agreement over leave deduction during 2014 Amcu strike

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uasa thumb medium70 84Mining Weekly reports that almost eight years after the 2014 strike by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) at Impala Platinum (Implats), trade union UASA has signed a settlement agreement with the platinum producer relating to the unlawful deduction of accumulated leave from members’ accounts in the wake of the AMCU strike action.

Tiger Brands threatens legal action following strike violence

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Tiger BrandsFin24 reports that according to Tiger Brands CEO Noel Doyle, the company might head to court for an urgent interdict to halt a violent strike in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

Prasa CEO suspended after discovery of concealed UK citizenship

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prasaFin24 reports that on Sunday, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) confirmed that it had placed CEO Zolani Matthews under precautionary suspension after finding out that he had UK citizenship.

Reserve Bank hikes repo rate for the first time in three years, but remains ‘accommodative’

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SARBBL Premium reports that the SA Reserve Bank’s (SARB’s) monetary policy committee (MPC) on Thursday raised rates by 25 basis points to 3.75%. It was the first increase in three years, and is said to mark the beginning of a gradual normalisation of policy following the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdowns.

Mango to be ‘mothballed’ for now as government refuses to provide bailout funds

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MangoThe Citizen reports that Mango’s business rescue plan must be reworked to suit SA Airways (SAA) and its ultimate shareholder, namely the Department of Public Enterprises.

Government Employees Pension Fund freezes R70 billion mandate with PIC

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GEPFBloomberg News reports that according to the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), it might take as long as a year to negotiate a new mandate with the Public Investment Corporation that would allow it to enter into new unlisted investment deals.

Government extends ‘Vooma Voucher’ incentive scheme for Covid-19 jabs to over-50s

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southafricalogoBL Premium reports that the government’s offer of a R100 grocery voucher to the over-60s when they get their first Covid-19 jab has had such a lukewarm response that the incentive scheme is being expanded to those aged over 50.

Sibanye-Stillwater lifts gold wage offer for third time in bid to resolve stand-off with coalition of unions

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Sibanye StillwaterMiningmx reports that Sibanye-Stillwater has upped its offer to employees at its SA gold operations for a third time in an effort to end a stand-off with a coalition of four unions.

Pravin Gordhan suggests aggrieved former Eskom employees could be sabotaging power plants

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pravingordanBL Premium reports that Department of Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Wednesday suggested that sabotage at Eskom’s power plants could not be ruled out as the power utility continued to grapple with financial and operational challenges.

Workers at Tiger Brands in KwaZulu-Natal embark on indefinite strike over wage increases

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Tiger BrandsBL Premium reports that Tiger Brands, which suffered losses of more than R150m due to the unrest in July and is struggling to shake off the effects of Covid-19 and lockdowns, has become the latest major company to be subjected to a damaging strike.

Consumer inflation in October steady at 5% ahead of key interest rates meeting

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Stats SABL Premium reports that consumer inflation was steady in October ahead of the SA Reserve Bank’s upcoming decision on interest rates.

Morning roundup of labour news on Wednesday, 17 November 2021

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news shutterstockIn our Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.

British High Commission plans partnerships to develop youth technical skills

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artisan2Engineering News reports that the British government is to invest up to £75-million of official development assistance, globally, for skills development across nine fast-growing economies, with the SA portion being dedicated to addressing the skills gaps, skills mismatch and quality training for unemployed youth and youth in post-school education and training.

Three more, including two former municipal officials, arrested in connection with VBS Bank scandal

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VBSIOL reports that three more people have been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the VBS Bank scandal.

Bargaining council finds ex-top cop Jeremy Vearey's dismissal over social media posts 'substantively fair'

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sapsNews24 reports that Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC) arbitrator Imthiaz Sirkhot ruled on Tuesday that former top policeman Major-General Jeremy Vearey's dismissal had been "substantively fair" and was the only sanction that could have been imposed, given the circumstances.

As CCMA budget keeps shrinking, union threatens wage strike over offer of 1.5%

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CCMABL Premium reports on a breakdown in negotiations between the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration (CCMA) and its employees over wage increases.

Massmart faces indefinite Saccawu strike from Friday, as well as a boycott of stores from 22 November

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MassmartBL Premium reports that the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (Saccawu), which claims about 20,000 of retail giant Massmart’s 45,000-strong workforce, said it would embark on an indefinite strike from Friday over wage increases and looming retrenchments.

Mango to be grounded for much longer as it tries to find investor

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MangoFin24 reports that it has become clear that low-cost airline Mango will be mothballed for a considerable period, as the process of securing an investor will take some time.

Seven syndicate members arrested in Free State for allegedly using companies to launder money from illegal mining

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hawksNews24 reports that seven people have been arrested, and 23 cars seized, for allegedly using their businesses to launder proceeds from illegal mining in the Free State.

Former St John’s College prep school teacher found guilty of sexual assault against past pupils

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newsCity Press reports that prestigious St John’s College in Johannesburg has revealed that an independent probe has found one of its former teachers guilty of perpetrating sexual assault against past pupils.

Over 20,000 former government employees have not claimed their GEPF pension benefits

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GEPFMoneyweb reports that the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), with an investment portfolio of over R2 trillion, has more than 1.2 million active members, and pensioners and beneficiaries in excess of 450,000.

Samwu welcomes Treasury’s allocation of R450bn to help municipalities deliver basic services

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samwu thumb medium80 78BL Premium reports that the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) has welcomed the Treasury’s decision to inject R450bn into struggling municipalities.