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.
Senior officials among 12 in court for allegedly defrauding Free State health department of R8.7m
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News24 reports that twelve people, including current and former Limpopo health department officials, appeared in court on Monday on allegations of defrauding the health department of R8.7 million over a five year period.
Covid-19 threatens to create a lost generation of retirees who won’t be able to enjoy their ‘golden years’
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Moneyweb writes that SA’s tough economic climate over several years, coupled with the financial pressure put on households by the Covid-19 pandemic, is threatening to create a lost generation who will not be able to retire because they simply could not save enough during this period.
On Covid vaccination, SA Human Right Commission must tread a fine line between competing rights
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SowetanLive reports that as the government accelerates its Covid-19 vaccine rollout, a growing number of employers and employees have approached the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to seek counsel on how resolve an impasse over those who refuse take the jab.
Western Cape taxis back on some routes as rival associations agree to arbitration
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TimesLIVE reports that taxis in some areas affected by recent Western Cape taxi violence will resume operations, but only under strict conditions. This after engagement between the two warring associations resumed.
Special Tribunal hears of Gauteng health department fraud of R4.5m allegedly perpetrated by two sisters and others
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TimesLIVE reports that the fraud trial of a former state attorney and her sister got under way at the Special Tribunal on Monday.
Tongaat Hulett cuts executive pay, ‘remains committed to making those responsible for historic mismanagement accountable’
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Moneyweb reports that in an unusual move, Tongaat Hulett’s remuneration committee has listened to the concerns of its shareholders and slashed the remuneration of its top three executives.
Only 102 of 40,000 claims for silicosis and TB victims paid to date by Tshiamiso Trust
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BL Premium reports that more than two years after six gold mining companies agreed to compensate workers afflicted by silicosis and tuberculosis (TB), only about a quarter of a percent of almost 40,000 claims have been paid.
Gold Fields vaccinates 73% of its employees at South Deep mine
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Mining Weekly reports that Gold Fields has vaccinated 73% of its South African workforce, based at the South Deep mine in Gauteng.
Labour Minister taken to court by Golden Arrow and Sibanye for extending wage deal in bus sector to nonparties
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BusinessLive reports that Cape Town bus operator Golden Arrow Bus Services is taking Department of Employment & Labour (DEL) Minister Thulas Nxesi to court for extending a wage agreement to employers and employees who are not affiliated to the bargaining council.
Metals industry veteran Lucio Trentini appointed as Seifsa CEO to replace Kaizer Nyatsumba
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BL Premium reports that the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of SA (Seifsa) announced on Monday that industry veteran Lucio Trentini has been appointed as the federation's CEO with immediate effect.
Seifsa declares ‘counter dispute’ against Numsa in metals and engineering wage negotiations
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BL Premium reports that the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of SA (Seifsa) said on Monday it had declared a counter dispute against the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) over the union’s refusal to accept a proposed wage hike deal for the metals and engineering sector.
Roundup on Monday, 2 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, 30 July 2021.
No one can force you to take Covid-19 vaccine, not even your employer, says acting health minister
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Independent Media reports that following reports that some employers were threatening to dismiss staff who chose not to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, acting Health Minister Mamoloko Kubayi has advised that no person should be forced to take the vaccine.
Unrest and looting affected 14,500 jobs, says Gauteng premier David Makhura
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Saturday Citizen reports that Gauteng premier David Makhura said on Friday that a preliminary estimation showed that R3.5 billion in damages had been caused by the recent unrest in parts of the province and 14,500 jobs had been affected by the violence.
TerraCom advises on fatality in May at South Africa coal mine
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Reuters writes that Australian coal miner TerraCom reported on Friday that a contractor had died at its South African mine on 6 May, leading to an 11-day halt in operations at the time.
Sanef mourns as four journalists succumb to Covid-19 complications
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News24 reports that the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) has paid tribute to four journalists who recently died as a result of Covid-19 complications.
Two Tshwane metro cops killed, another injured as suspected drunk driver rams into accident scene on Saturday
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News24 reports that two Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officers were killed and a third was injured when a suspected drunk driver crashed into them at an accident scene on Saturday.
DA wants Mkhize fired as SIU seeks to recover R150 million from Digital Vibes
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BL Premium reports that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which is seeking to recoup millions of rand spent on the controversial Digital Vibes contract, has accused Department of Health (DOH) Minister Zweli Mkhize of unlawful and improper conduct for his role and wants his family to repay about R4m.
With current legal framework ‘complex and fragmented’, government report calls for national policy on occupational safety and health
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BL Premium reports that a state-commissioned report has found that the government needs to develop a national policy and strategy on occupational safety and health (OSH) to instil a culture of compliance with health and safety regulations across all sectors of the economy.
All South Africans have a right to accept or refuse Covid-19 vaccines, say experts
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Sunday Independent reports that according to at least four leading experts, employees who refuse to take Covid-19 vaccinations are acting perfectly within their freedom of choice, and employers have no right to take any disciplinary measures against them.
DA calls for Saps devolution to provinces and municipalities
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The Citizen reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) called for a devolution of the SA Police Services (Saps) after its National Commissioner Khehla Sitole admitted before the Police Portfolio Committee on Thursday that the force would be handicapped in fulfilling its mandate following organisational restructuring.
National Treasury proposes partial access to pension savings in a ‘two-pot system’
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BL Premium reports that the National Treasury has proposed a “two-pot system” for withdrawals from pension funds, with one-third being accessible before retirement and two-thirds being locked into compulsory preservation for retirement.
Fuel prices in August expected to be over 20% higher than January
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BusinessLive reports that the petrol price reached a record high in July and things are about to get worse in August.
Toyota SA executive chairman Johan van Zyl dies due to Covid-19 complications
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BusinessLive reports that Johan van Zyl, executive chairman of Toyota SA, died on Friday aged 63 due to Covid-19 complications.
Morning roundup of labour news on Friday, 30 July 2021
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In our morning roundup, see summaries
of our selection of recent South African labour-
labour-related reports.
SA Policing Union feels let down by majority unions over signed public sector wage offer
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The Star reports that the SA Policing Union (SAPU) has expressed disappointment that a majority of public sector unions have signed the latest wage offer from the South African government.
No employee should be dismissed over refusal to vaccinate, warns Cosatu
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The Star reports that labour federation Cosatu has issued a stern warning to employers who were allegedly victimising workers who did not want to take the Covid-19 vaccine for religious or medical reasons.
Formal sector salaries still below pre-pandemic levels, BankservAfrica index suggests
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Fin24 reports that the latest BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BTPI) suggests that salaries in SA have not recovered to levels seen three or four years ago.
Workplace vaccination sites given permission to offer jabs to employees of all ages
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BL Premium reports that the Department of Health (DOH) has opened coronavirus vaccination at approved workplace sites to all employees over the age of 18, thus scrapping restrictions that have until now limited the jabs to the age groups eligible in the national rollout.
After director-general’s precautionary suspension, Blade Nzimande dismisses abuse of power claims
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News24 reports that according to Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, it was the matter of financial discrepancies that led to the suspension of his director general (DG), Gwebinkundla Qonde.