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.
MPs told there’s already a ban on frontline home affairs officials using cellphones
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News24 reports that Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on Tuesday welcomed the news that home affairs officials who were on the frontline were not allowed to use their cellphones and that citizens could call out any officials who provided bad service.
Afternoon roundup of labour news on Tuesday, 12 February 2019
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In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Tuesday, 12 February 2019.
Red flags at deadly Bank of Lisbon building ignored, public protector asked to investigate
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The Star reports that staff complaints about the derelict state of the Bank of Lisbon building in downtown Joburg weeks before a blaze engulfed it were dismissed as “delinquent”.
Gupta mine cable ‘thief’ released, rescue bid for those underground still halted by unpaid workers
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Sowetan reports that a sixth suspect involved in the cable theft at the Gupta-owned Gloria Coal Mine in Mpumalanga has been released as police conduct further investigations into the matter, as directed by the public prosecutor.
Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie throws its weight behind teacher in Sans Souci slap video
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News24 reports that the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie (SAOU) has pledged its support for the Sans Souci Girls' High School teacher who was caught on video slapping a pupil.
Limpopo Health MEC sacks Tshilidzini Hospital's entire management team
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Health e-News reports that shocking mismanagement at Tshilidzini Hospital has prompted Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba to remove the facility's entire management team.
Parliament’s finance committee adopts PIC bill aimed at bolstering accountability
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BusinessLive reports that a bill aiming to strengthen the corporate governance, accountability and transparency of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) was adopted by parliament’s finance committee on Tuesday.
ConCourt turns down Tom Moyane's application for leave to appeal against his dismissal
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Fin24 reports that axed SA Revenue Service (SARS) boss Tom Moyane has lost his bid at the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) for leave to appeal regarding his dismissal.
Unemployment rate eases from 27.5% to 27.1% in fourth quarter due to holiday season hiring
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BusinessLive reports that SA’s unemployment rate improved in the fourth quarter, as is usually the case for a quarter that brings a temporary hiring boost thanks to the holiday season.
Sibanye-Stillwater signals prospect of 5,000 job cuts at Driefontein if profits cannot be restored
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Miningmx reports that precious metals producer Sibanye-Stillwater has apparently signaled to unions that it might cut up to 5,000 jobs at its struggling Driefontein operation in the gold sector.
Ekurhuleni firefighters first in SA certified for international qualification
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The Citizen reports that the first group of technical rescuers in Africa to be accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) studied through the City of Ekurhuleni’s training academy.
Higher education department to plead with Nehawu not to embark on TVET shutdown on Thursday
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The Citizen reports that the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) hopes to engage with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) to reconsider its national strike at TVET and community education and training (CET) colleges.
Cosatu plans to bring eight provinces to a standstill on Wednesday
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The Citizen reports that Cosatu plans to bring economic activities in eight provinces to a complete halt on Wednesday to highlight the plight of workers.
With 350,000 jobs at risk, desperate sugar cane farmers send SOS to Ramaphosa
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Business Report writes that sugar industry growers have called for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s intervention in an effort to help save the multibillion-rand sector from imminent collapse.
Motsoaledi lashes hospital association for 'fear-mongering' about NHI job losses
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BL Premium reports that the minister of health Aaron Motsoaledi has hauled the Hospital Association of SA (Hasa) over the coals, accusing it of using fear-mongering to fight the implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI).
Cosatu may withdraw support for ANC before elections over failure to consult about Eskom unbundling
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BusinessLive reports that Cosatu could at its next central executive committee revisit its decision to support the ANC in the May national elections.
Disciplinary action to be taken against Treasury DG for lying about his criminal record
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ANA reports that in line with a recommendation by the Public Protector, disciplinary action is to be instituted against National Treasury director-general Dondo Mohajane for lying about his criminal record.
Gauteng’s head of roads and transport placed on leave over illegal award of William Nicol construction tender
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Independent News reports that Gauteng Premier David Makhura has placed his provincial head of roads and transport Ronald Swartz on special leave following the illegal award of a road construction tender.
Cyril’s ‘extreme changes’ to cut state wage bill include merging ministries, cutting staff, reducing number of provinces
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City Press reports that merging of ministries, cutting staff and reducing the number of provinces are part of ‘extreme changes’ mooted to reconfigure the state and drive efficiency.
Absence at Absa of a CEO succession plan nothing less than a failure of the board
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Hilton Tarrant writes that to describe the succession plan at Absa Group as ‘botched’ would be kind because in truth there wasn’t one.
Lonmin delays 12,600 job losses as shafts are kept open longer
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Business Report writes that platinum producer Lonmin said on Friday that it had greater leeway to delay 12,600 job losses because of improved metal prices in the three months to December.
PSA gives thumbs up to Ramaphosa’s plans to combat corruption
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ANA reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) said on Monday it welcomed steps announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his state of the nation address last week to combat corruption.
Disgruntled unpaid miners allegedly hampering efforts to rescue 22 copper thieves at Gloria mine
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News24 writes that the fate of approximately 22 alleged copper thieves trapped underground hangs in the balance as rescue efforts are allegedly being hampered by disgruntled unpaid mineworkers.
Nehawu announces national strike at TVET colleges to commence on 14 February
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ANA reports that the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) on Monday announced a national strike set to affect “all the technical and vocational education and training and community education (TVET) and training colleges” across South Africa.
Sibanye CEO Froneman says standoff with Amcu is a chance to 'reset' labour relationships
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Business Times writes that according to Neal Froneman, CEO of gold and platinum miner Sibanye-Stillwater, the outcome of its three-month standoff with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) at its three gold mines will have significant consequences for the local mining industry.
Roundup on Monday, 11 February 2019 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, 8 February 2019.
Government to engage with labour and stakeholders over Eskom unbundling, says Gordhan
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Fin24 reports that Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan will meet with Eskom's board as a priority to map a way forward for the entity, following President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement that the power utility would be unbundled.
Motsoaledi disappointed and distressed over non-payment of intern doctors' salaries
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EWN reports that Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says he is disappointed and highly distressed that some interns and doctors who started work last month have still not received their January salaries.
Medical Schemes Council suspends its top compliance officer following tip-offs about alleged corruption
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ANA reports that the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) has suspended its general manager of compliance and investigations, Stephen Mmatli, “following tip-offs related to his conduct in the affairs of the regulator”.
Eskom split not about ‘privatising’, claims Ramaphosa, as Numsa vows to take to the streets
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The Citizen reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied that splitting Eskom up into three state-owned entities was about “privatising” the struggling power utility.