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.
Pupil appears over alleged stabbing, teacher assaulted at same Cape Town school
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Cape Times reports that a Kuils River Technical High School pupil, who was arrested for allegedly stabbing a fellow pupil, has been released into the care of his parents following a court appearance on Tuesday.
FNB denies that it had spied on dismissed employees
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Fin24 reports that FNB on Tuesday denied all allegations that it had intercepted the WhatsApp and email messages of former employees.
Put safety first, Solidarity pleads following Kusasalethu deaths
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Netwerk24 reports that in response to the tragic mining accident at Harmony Gold’s Kusasalethu mine over the weekend, trade union Solidarity has called on employers to renew their efforts to prevent further mine deaths.
Outrage that City of Johannesburg job applicants have to declare any political party positions
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SowetanLive reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) administration in the City of Johannesburg wants to know if its prospective employees hold any political office.
Progressive Professionals Forum and Cosatu demand reinstatement of 'FNB4'
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Business Report writes that the Progressive Professionals Forum (PPF) issued a statement on Tuesday calling on First National Bank (FNB) to reinstate the so-called 'FNB4' with immediate effect.
Ex-municipal CFO ordered to cough up R100k for fraud
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Diamond Fields Advertiser reports that the former chief financial officer of Karoo Hoogland Municipality, Marius Botha, and bogus company owner, Ockert Cloete, were on Monday ordered to pay the Asset Forfeiture Unit for unduly benefiting from the proceeds of crime.
Demands submitted by Samwu to Magalies Water include 20% wage increase
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Business Report writes that the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) has submitted its wage and other demands for the 2017/18 financial year to Magalies Water, which supplies water to the Rustenburg, Madibeng and Moretele Local Municipalities in the North West.
Solidarity reacts strongly to request by Eskom's board to make payment to Brian Molefe
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Business Report writes that trade union Solidarity on Tuesday reacted strongly following a report that Eskom’s board wanted to make a payment of R11.2m to former CEO Brian Molefe.
Minister Nzimande salutes women artisans and apprentices
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Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande has saluted women artisans and apprentices for venturing beyond social stereotypes and debunking the myth that certain skills and occupations were the preserves of men.
Gigaba’s bombshell that PIC funds could be used to bail SOEs out angers Cosatu
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BusinessLive reports that Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba has told Cosatu’s central executive committee (CEC) meeting that he cannot guarantee that the government will not attempt to make use of the Public Investment Corporation’s (PIC’s) funds to capitalise state-owned entities (SOEs).
Rescue teams inching closer to trapped miners at Harmony’s Kusasalethu mine
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EWN reports that Harmony Gold has said that its rescue teams are inching closer and closer to the mineworkers who have been trapped underground at its Kusasalethu Mine in the West Rand.
Web links to selected labour news reports posted on Tuesday, 29 August 2017
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Our links page provides references to South African labour news reports we have come across on the Internet on Tuesday, 29 August 2017.
Uber launches safety features to protect drivers
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BusinessLive reports that Uber has launched new safety features in the wake of a recent spate of attacks on driver-partners and passengers. Introduced after engagement with drivers, the features include Social Connect and Share My Trip.
Parliament’s mineral resources committee ‘deeply worried’ about mines’ health and safety
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ANA reports that the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources said on Monday that it was “deeply worried” about the sporadic seismic events that continued to claim lives in the mining sector.
Cosatu slams FNB for firing employees for 'exercising freedom of speech'
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Business Report writes that Cosatu has condemned the “unfair dismissal” of four First National Bank (FNB) employees for making insulting comments about the DA leader Mmusi Maimane on WhatsApp and many other political comments.
Free State premier promises to employ unemployed nurses
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The New Age reports that according to Free State Premier Ace Magashule there were about 280 qualified nurses, including professionals, assistance and staff nurses, in the province who were unemployed and whom he indicated were going to be hired.
ANC asked to take up racism complaint against Rajesh Gupta for calling guards 'monkeys'
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BusinessLive reports that Lawyers for Human Rights and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation have approached the ANC to lead a case of racism against Rajesh ‘Tony’ Gupta at the SA Human Rights Commission‚ either as the sole complainant or with them.
With employers at odds with each other, metals and engineering wage deal signed but not sealed
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BusinessLive writes that the recent wage agreement in the metals and engineering industry may have prevented a strike, but workers will have to wait a long time before benefiting from it.
Western Cape working on legislation to hold Prasa accountable for poor train services
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SABC News reports that the Western Cape government is working on legislation that would hold the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) accountable for the mismanagement of the province's train infrastructure.
Private Security Sector minimum wages set for a rise from 1 September
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The Department of Labour reports that, with effect from 1 September 201, the minimum wage applicable to the Private Security Sector will increase by an average of 6.4% in terms of the Sectoral Determination (SD) and will be applicable until 31 August 2018.
Bargaining councils offered reprieve over neglected tax deductions on benefits
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BusinessLive reports that certain bargaining councils have for decades apparently neglected to deduct employees’ tax on benefits given to their members, but have now been offered the opportunity to become tax compliant.
How the fight against illegal mining threatens to explode
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BusinessLive reports that MPS were told last week that, unless problems bedevilling mining towns were tackled urgently, efforts to eradicate illegal mining operations and syndicates would soon be at a crisis point.
Government accused of ignoring millions who are owed payouts from retirement funds
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eNCA reports that nearly four million South Africans are owed billions of rands in pension and provident fund benefits. According to the latest data, government and the private sector owe almost R42-billion in unpaid claims.
Liberated Metalworkers Union of SA rejects new MEIBC agreement
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Business Report writes that the Liberated Metalworkers Union of SA (Limusa) put out a statement on Monday to say that it was not surprised but once again shocked by the recent settlement agreement in the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC).
Gauteng emergency services workers threaten shutdown next month if demands not met
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EWN reports that Gauteng emergency services workers have warned of a total shutdown next month if Premier David Makhura and Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa do not respond to their grievances.
NUM wants efforts to rescue trapped Kusasalethu miners stepped up
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ANA reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Monday called for the rescue operation at Harmony Gold’s Kusasalethu Mine to be escalated to bring the remaining two trapped miners to surface.
Web links to selected labour news reports posted on Monday, 28 August 2017
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Our links page provides references to South African labour news reports we have come across on the Internet on Monday, 28 August 2017.
Concerned Zwane to increase mine inspections following Harmony deaths
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ANA reports that Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane on Monday appealed for “extra caution” in respect of health and safety in mines, saying he was concerned about tragic accidents in the industry.
Plan to scrap tax credit could push 1.9m people out of medical aid schemes
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The Times writes that the government's plan to ditch medical aid tax credits will have a disastrous effect on already cash-strapped citizens and force nearly 2 million people onto the over-stretched state health system.
Eight City of Johannesburg officials in court on Monday for alleged R2.4m fraud
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ANA reports that eight City of Johannesburg employees were due to appear in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday for allegedly pocketing R2.4 million in fraudulent refunds.