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.
Jobs for Nelson Mandela Bay as four new companies invest R49m at Coega IDZ
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TimesLIVE reports that as SA bleeds jobs, four new companies are investing a combined R49m at the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) in Nelson Mandela Bay and creating employment for at least 100 people.
On first day, over 34,000 SA healthcare workers registered for Covid-19 vaccines
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TimesLIVE reports that the national Department of Health announced on Wednesday that its electronic vaccine self-registration portal was up and running, with more than 34,000 healthcare workers having already registered for the Covid-19 vaccine.
Chairperson of policing union booted out of police service for beating fellow officer, public disturbance
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TimesLIVE reports that SA Policing Union (Sapu) chair Mpho Kwinika has been given the boot from the SA Police Service (Saps). It was announced on Tuesday that Kwinika had been fired after a disciplinary hearing found him guilty of serious misconduct.
Hospitality industry to seek court interdict to stop extension of bargaining council collective agreement to nonparties
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BL Premium reports that a number of employers in the hospitality industry are preparing an application for an urgent court interdict to stop the government extending a collective agreement struck at the industry’s bargaining council to nonparties.
SABC defies communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams on job cuts
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BL Premium reports that the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has defied communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams’s attempts to reduce or possibly avert job cuts at the public broadcaster.
UIF launches online E-Compliance Certificate system
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Engineering News reports that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has launched its highly anticipated online E-Compliance Certificate system.
Ford’s nearly R16bn investment in SA unit expected to create 11,000 new jobs
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BL Premium reports that Ford Motor Company has announced a R15.8bn investment in its SA subsidiary, the largest in history in the SA motor industry.
Gas leak and fire claims life of KZN wildlife employee at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
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TimesLIVE reports that a Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park employee succumbed to her injuries on Sunday, two days after a fire believed to be caused by a gas leak broke out in a communal kitchen at the facility.
SA mining fatalities rose by 18% in year to 14 December 2020
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Bloomberg reports that the Minerals Council SA (MCSA) provisionally advised on Friday that the death toll in SA’s mines rose by 18% in the year to 14 December 2020, driven by accidents related to rocks falls and transportation.
Lack of liquidity, exacerbated by Covid-19, caused Denel’s failure to properly pay workers’ salaries
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Engineering News reports that interim Denel CEO Talib Sadik in his statement in the state-owned group’s 2019/2020 annual report addressed the failure of the company to fully pay the salaries of its employees last year.
Nurses working in rural clinics and hospitals fear being forgotten in Covid-19 vaccine rollout
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Reuters reports that nurses called on the government on Monday to ensure that overstretched workers in rural clinics and hospitals get access to Covid-19 vaccines.
Cash-in-transit van bombed and looted in Mpumalanga
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News24 reports that a cash-in-transit (CIT) van was bombed and looted in Mpumalanga on Monday. Police spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili advised that three security guards had been in the vehicle.
Labour Appeal Court reserves judgment in SAA unions’ appeal for backpay salaries
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Moneyweb reports that the Labour Appeal Court (LAC) has reserved judgment after hearing arguments on behalf of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and the SA Cabin Crew Association (Sacca) to have the SA Airways (SAA) settlement agreement declared unlawful or unfair.
Wine industry body Vingro won’t drop lawsuit despite easing of restrictions on alcohol sales
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BL Premium reports that Vinpro, a 2,500-strong wine industry body, said on Monday it would be sticking to its legal action against the government despite President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to partially lift a ban on alcohol sales.
High Court orders Hlaudi Motsoeneng to pay back to the SABC over R850,000 in personal legal fees
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EWN reports that the High Court in Johannesburg has ruled that former SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng must pay back more than R850,000 used to pay for legal fees during his time at the corporation.
President Ramaphosa appoints Dr Somadoda Fikeni to Public Service Commission
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SowetanLive reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr Somadoda Fikeni as commissioner of the Public Service Commission (PSC).
SANDF amends dress policy to allow headscarves for Muslim women as part of uniform
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AFP reports that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has amended its dress policy to allow Muslim women to wear headscarves as part of its uniform.
CCMA rules against Department of Agriculture in case of sexual harassment at union meeting on its premises
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GroundUp reports that the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has found that an employer must act when sexual harassment takes place on its premises, even if this is during a meeting which the employer has not authorised.
Cash-in-transit industry in turmoil after first of its kind case of robbers strapping bomb to guard
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TimesLIVE reports that SA’s cash-in-transit (CIT) industry has been thrown into turmoil after a gang of armed robbers hijacked an SBV officer and strapped a bomb to him as he serviced an ATM.
Newly qualified doctors and other healthcare workers battle to find jobs in SA’s shambolic public health system
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Reuters writes that while Michelle Cerfontyne was completing her medical training in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic was overwhelming SA’s understaffed public hospitals, so the young doctor thought she would get a job easily.
Shocked Sadtu says Grade R teachers in Mpumalanga haven’t been paid their January salaries
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News24 reports that the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) in Mpumalanga has called for the settlement of all outstanding monthly salaries of Grade R practitioners.
Mboweni sacks the entire board of auditing watchdog in wake of controversial CEO appointment
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BL Premium reports that on Thursday and after consultations, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni dissolved the board of directors of the Independent Regulatory Board of Auditors (Irba).
SAPS fires North West police constable caught on video drunk while in uniform
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ANA reports that it was confirmed on Sunday that a 39-year-old SA Police Service (SAPS) constable, who was recently captured on video clearly drunk and staggering around while in his official uniform, has been fired.
Robbers kidnap Cape Town cash-in-transit guard, strap explosives to his body and force him to clear out ATMs
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Weekend Argus reports that a cash-in-transit employee was abducted on Saturday afternoon by robbers who strapped explosives to him and forced him to clear out ATMs across Cape Town.
CEO of Tembisa Hospital suspended over death of Shonisani Lethole
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TimesLIVE reports that the Gauteng department of health announced on Saturday that Tembisa Hospital CEO Dr Lekopane Mogaladi had been suspended.
Public sector unions take fight over 2020 pay increases to Constitutional Court
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BL Premium reports that public sector trade unions have taken their fight over wage increases to the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) in a last-ditch effort to ensure the state does not get out of a collective agreement.
SA’s mining industry prepares for R300m Covid-19 vaccine rollout effort
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Reuters reports that SA’s mining industry estimates it will cost around R300-million to help the government roll out Covid-19 vaccines to mineworkers and community members.
Danger ahead for employment in hotels, restaurants and business services
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Financial Mail reports that the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) is alarmed by the prolonged downward trajectory in employment in hotels, restaurants and business services, which are all sectors that are highly employment intensive.
Exasperated IMF repeats advice for fixing broken SA economy
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BL Premium reports that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has again reiterated the importance of addressing SA’s fiscal trajectory and promoting private sector-led investment in driving economic growth and employment.
Beauty therapist unfairly dismissed after inquiring about her Ters benefits wins her case
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SowetanLive reports that a beauty therapist who was unfairly dismissed from a spa in Johannesburg has won her case at the bargaining council.