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.
Labour Minister must withdraw ‘mandatory vaccinations’ guidelines, insists business group Sakeliga
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The Citizen reports that business group Sakeliga is not happy with the directive that Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister Thulas Nxesi issued two months ago regarding vaccination in the workplace.
Cathsseta’s clearing of backlog of tourist guide certificates hailed
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Cape Argus reports that the Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (Cathsseta) has confirmed that it has cleared the backlog in respect of certification of learners, including learner tourist guides in the Western Cape.
Unisa graduates start petition in bid to get their certificates issued
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EWN reports that University of South Africa (Unisa) students have started a petition in a desperate plea to have the university release their certificates, months after they graduated.
Nehawu claims R35m tender scandal over revamping of unsafe Northern Cape legislature building
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Mail and Guardian writes that turning to the courts could be the only way to force the Northern Cape legislature to investigate allegations about how a company contracted to revamp its building did not complete the work.
Justice for Miners wants Tshiamiso Trust to expedite payment of TB and silicosis compensation to 500,000 miners
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BL Premium reports that Bishop Jo Seoka, chair of the Justice for Miners Organisation, says payment of compensation to 500,000 miners who became sick with tuberculosis (TB) and/or silicosis because of their jobs, must be expedited.
Unions up in arms as court gives nod to Mango’s application for business rescue
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BusinessLive reports that the South Gauteng High Court on Tuesday approved low-cost airline Mango, which is a subsidiary of SA Airways, going into voluntary business rescue.
Ex-Mahikeng municipal employee arrested in connection with VBS Bank looting scandal
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News24 reports that a 59-year-old former Mahikeng Municipality official is the latest person to be arrested in connection with the VBS Mutual Bank scandal.
Ceasefire in Cape Town taxi violence holds, with arbitration between CATA and Codeta set to resume
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News24 reports that Cape Town's taxi industry will next week resume arbitration over a coveted route, as the police and SA National Defence Force continue monitoring any possible flare-ups of violence.
Trade union Solidarity welcomes investigation into explosion at Medupi Unit 4
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Engineering News reports that trade union Solidarity says it supports power utility Eskom's investigation following an explosion on Sunday at Unit 4 of the Medupi power station in Lephalale.
Nursing union Denosa says shortage of staff at Gauteng public hospitals a widespread issue
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EWN reports that the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) on Tuesday said the shortage of staff at public hospitals in Gauteng was more widespread than just the Helen Joseph Hospital.
Durban security guard killed in drive-by shooting early on Tuesday morning
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The Witness reports that a security guard was shot dead in a drive-by shooting on Electron Road in Durban on Tuesday morning.
New health minister Joe Phaahla lifts precautionary suspension of HPCSA chief executive David Motau
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TimesLIVE reports that newly appointed health minister Joe Phaahla has lifted the precautionary suspension of Health Professions Council of SA's (HPCSA’s) registrar and CEO David Motau.
Roundup on Tuesday, 10 August 2021 of weekend labour reports
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In our roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 6 August 2021.
Nurses at Helen Joseph Hospital plead for resources as Charlotte Maxeke Hospital closure strains system
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EWN reports on an urgent plea on Tuesday morning for more resources at the Helen Joseph Hospital where nurses are battling to cope with the influx of patients who are unable to access treatment at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital facility.
Ingonyama Trust Board gets a new chief executive
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Mail & Guardian reports that Land Reform Minister Thoko Didiza has appointed a new chief executive at the troubled Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) as part of her attempt to reform the institution.
Army deployment at SABC a routine check or intelligence tip-off, says analyst
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Independent Media reports that according to defence analyst Helmoed Heitman, the deployment of the SANDF to SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) offices is of no significance unless the Presidency has been informed of an insurrection.
Quality of care suffering in ‘leaderless’ Gauteng hospitals, claim nursing unions
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Sunday Independent reports that nursing trade unions are frustrated over the large number of Gauteng hospitals being led by acting CEOs at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Creditor postpones Mango liquidation application; outcome of possible business rescue process awaited
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Fin24 reports that one of low-cost airline Mango's creditors has withdrawn a liquidation application as it waits for the outcome of a possible business rescue process.
'Extensive damage' caused in Medupi explosion, Eskom staff suspended after ‘deviation from procedure’
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Fin24 reports that power utility Eskom has confirmed that an explosion at unit 4 of Medupi power station on Sunday has caused "extensive damage" to the generator. The explosion took place at about 22:50 on Sunday night.
Godongwana wants investment in jobless youth, warns against 'cycle of dependency' with basic income grant
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Sunday Times reports that SA's new Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has drawn an early line in the sand over the question of a basic income grant (BIG), saying he would rather the funds be used to give work to unemployed black youngsters, instead of a handout.
SABC removes clause in contracts allowing monitoring of employees' communications
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News24 reports that after much backlash, the SA broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has removed a clause from employees' contracts that allowed it to intercept, monitor, and read staffers' communication.
Employee killed in fall of ground incident on Friday at Harmony mine near Orkney
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News24 reports that a Harmony Gold employee was killed in an accident on Friday morning at the company's Moab Khotsong mine, near Orkney, in the North West province.
Morning roundup of labour news on Friday, 6 August 2021
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In our Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
Report shows investment in early childhood development would increase work opportunities for women
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The Star reports that the 2021 Women’s Report indicates that greater investment in early childhood care and education would increase employment opportunities for women in SA.
Basic education department not deterred by crowded classrooms
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The Citizen reports that concerns about crowded classrooms will not stop the Department of Basic Education (DBE) from finishing the curriculum while observing Covid-19 protocols.
SA’s gender pay gap not getting any better, PwC research shows
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BL Premium reports that SA’s gender wage gap shows little sign of abating, with the Covid-19 pandemic entrenching pay and representation disparities between men and women in top jobs across the country’s JSE-listed boardrooms and businesses.
Solidarity to ‘strongly oppose’ regulations on ‘certificate of need’ for healthcare practitioners
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Trade union Solidarity warned on Thursday that it would “strongly oppose” proposed regulations intended to pave the way for the implementation of a so-called “Certificate of Need” for healthcare practitioners.
More than 68,500 prison inmates and 12,000 correctional services staff have received Covid-19 jabs
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News24 reports that according to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), more than 68,500 prison inmates have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
Requesting Covid-19 vaccination cards without getting a jab is fraud, Western Cape health department warns
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News24 reports that the Western Cape Department of Health has received reports of people approaching Covid-19 vaccination sites to request vaccination cards without having got their gabs.
Sasol staff won’t be forced to pay for Covid-19 testing, says Solidarity
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Solidarity announced on Thursday that staff at Sasol’s Secunda plant would no longer be forced to pay for Covid-19 tests themselves. This came after the trade union and Sasol held a meeting earlier in the day about the matter.