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.
In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Tuesday, 28 November 2017.
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SA’s gold mining still the biggest killer City Press reports that the number of fatalities at mines across the country has increased by at least 12% this year so far. Last year, there were 68 fatalities across the mining sector, while 77 men and women have died in 2017 so far. According to information from the Department of Mineral Resources, the gold mining sector still accounts for the majority of mine deaths. From January to early November, there were 36 fatalities in gold mining. Platinum mines are the second-biggest culprit with 25 fatalities, while coal mines are third with seven deaths. The smaller mining subsectors have claimed nine lives. Last year, gold mines had 29 fatalities in total. Charmaine Russell, spokesperson for the Chamber of Mines, commented: “A particular concern during 2017 has been the number of accidents related to seismic activity and subsequent fall-of-ground incidents. The Chamber has noted that there has been an increase in the number of rockbursts, while the number of rockfalls decreased.” This short report by Lesetja Malope, which also reflects fatalities and injuries by province, is at City Press Postings on Mining Charter
Mining Charter review postponement will delay transformation, says Mineral Resources Minister, at EWN
Boland farmworkers tell of 'hunger for clean water' Cape Argus reports that, while the bulk of Capetonians are making efforts to save water, some farmworkers in the Boland region have a “hunger for clean water”. This is just one of the issues that came out of the fourth Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers’ Union (CSAAWU) congress. Danielle de Witt stays on a wine farm and said some farmworkers were too scared to complain about their water issues as they feared losing their jobs. “On our farm the farmer did install boreholes, but he said it is only for the toilets. We have a big hunger for water; sometimes we have to steal the water from the boreholes." She indicated that she was concerned for her children and their health and safety, as they had little access to safe drinking water. “If people complain about the water, the farmer threatens to fire them, or his wife just tells them to boil it.” Zwelinzima Vavi, general secretary of the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), told the congress delegates: “I witnessed the abuse of farmworkers, including my parents, so you can imagine how I feel to address a congress of mainly farmworkers.” He said that Saftu had now decided to make CSAAWU its number one priority and added: “These vulnerable workers need trade unions more than any workers. You do not need me to tell you about appalling conditions where farmworkers are abused, yet workers are defenceless against ruthless bosses. Read this report by Yolisa Tswanya in full at Cape Argus Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Unions furious over government’s continued delay in making wage offer BusinessLive reports that public sector unions have condemned the government’s "lax and indifferent" approach to wage negotiations after it failed to present workers with a wage offer, almost three months into the talks. The unions have also described the government negotiators’ reasons for not reporting back, namely that they had not received a mandate from the government, as "frivolous". The negotiators were meant to provide feedback to labour’s demands last Thursday, following an earlier postponement. In a joint statement on Monday, the unions warned that if the government did not keep its promise of returning to talks on 7 December, workers would be antagonized and would “force us to exercise our rights." The unions want a “solid and coherent response” on 7 December. The unions were also unhappy with the government’s various presentations to parliament on the public sector wage bill, saying that amounted to negotiating through the media. Read this report by Theto Mahlakoana in full at BusinessLive. Read the unions’ joint statement at Cosatu Today Scene set for acrimonious public sector wage negotiations Business Report writes that the scene is set for acrimonious public sector wage negotiations after the public service unions at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) said on Moday that they were readying themselves for a bitter fight with the government. The unions comprise Sadtu, PSA, Nehawu, Sapu, Denosa, Popcru, Naptosa, Hospersa, Nupsaw, and Natu. They said they were disappointed by the government’s lax and indifferent approach to the talks. “We want to caution the government not to negotiate with the workers through the media, because that will muddy the waters and complicate the negotiations. We are not averse to confrontation if provoked and if they continue on this path the pushback will be ferocious and ugly,” the unions said in a joint press statement. MPs were told last week that the cost of meeting this year’s civil servant demands amounted to R282bn. The looming deadlock comes days after two ratings agencies flagged the rigidity of SA’s public sector wage bill as presenting a key risk to SA’s fiscal outlook. Economist Sanisha Packirisamy of Momentum Investments has pointed out that the public sector wage negotiations were taking place against tepid economic growth and a heavily constrained fiscus. Read this report by Kabelo Khumalo in full at Business Report. Read the unions’ joint press statement at Cosatu Today
Steve Biko Hospital ends security contract after guards protest over unpaid wages News24 reports that the Gauteng Department of Health has terminated the contract of a private security company "with immediate effect" after its employees staged a protest at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital on Monday. The department said the termination of the contract was dictated by the unprotected strike over an alleged salary dispute and the security guards' "unbecoming behaviour". The group of guards used stones and rubble to block the entrance to the hospital in Pretoria and vandalised signage and vegetation. The blockade lasted around an hour before it was cleared by police. The guards claimed that they had not been paid by their employer. Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa said in a statement she was pleased that the hospital's management had acted swiftly to manage the situation. "The new security company has been brought on board and they have [taken up] their responsibilities," she indicated. Read this report by Mxolisi Mngadi in full at News24. Read Gwen Ramokgopa’s press statement at SA Govt online. See too, Security company at Steve Biko Hospital shown the door after protest, at The Citizen Steve Biko Hospital management to meet with union bosses EWN reports that management at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria was expected to finalise a contract with a new security company on Tuesday after security personnel held demonstrations at the facility on Monday, barricading all entry points. Workers affiliated to the Academic and Professional Staff Association (APSA) have been protesting over delayed salary payments on the part of ‘Born To Protect’ security company. The hospital’s management was due to meet with union representatives and Vimba Security Solutions, the company that will now take over from ‘Born To Protect’. The contract with ‘Born To Protect’ was terminated when representatives failed to attend a meeting at the hospital on Monday. A contract will now be signed stipulating the terms as to how about 250 workers will be transferred to the new company. The union said it would be approaching the CCMA to have ‘Born To Protect’ pay all outstanding salaries and bonuses. This short report by Kgomotso Modise EWN. See too, Union demands Biko Hospital hires security guards directly, at EWN. And also, Steve Biko Hospital says can't consider insourcing without vacancies, at EWN
Transport union Satawu supports Ramaphosa’s bid for ANC presidency The Citizen reports that the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) has official announced its support for Cyril Ramaphosa to become African National Congress (ANC) president at the party’s elective national conference in December. The resolution was made a 14-member task team elected at the union’s central executive committee (CEC) meeting on 17 November to run the affairs of the organisation until its elective national congress in February 2018. The task team also resolved to support and lobby for its former general secretary, Randall Howard, to be elected as an additional member of the ANC NEC at the December conference. The CEC elected the task team following general secretary Zenzo Mahlangu’s deportation to Zimbabwe in May and deputy general secretary Zacharia Mosothoane’s resignation during the CEC meeting. A five-member executive was also appointed to spearhead the union’s work. The abovementioned task team also “noted” the Labour Court ruling on 22 November that Mahlangu could no longer be general secretary of Satawu and resolved to comply with the court order. Read this report by Gosebo Mathope in full at The Citizen
Allan Gray points out the real problem at Eskom is a productivity meltdown BizNews writes that the analysts at top rated money manager Allan Gray join the financial dots better than most and chief investment officer Andrew Lapping did so again during a recent roadshow. He drew numbers from Eskom’s own annual reports to expose the extent of the mismanagement at the monopoly state-owned power utility. Lapping noted that in 2003, Eskom employed 32,000 people. Today that number stands at 47,600, up almost 50%. The average annual salary of each Eskom employee has risen from R220,000 to R785,000 – massively over the inflation rate (R400,000). But, the crunch is that Eskom’s electricity production is the same as it was in 2003. In other words, today it employs 50% more people and pays them almost double the real wages of 14 years ago. Yet they deliver the same amount of power. That’s called a productivity meltdown. So it’s no mystery why taxpayers are expected to keep coughing up billions in bailouts. This short report is at BizNews
Jobs Summit initiative aims to create 100,000 jobs for the youth in 2018 Engineering News writes that a new initiative, bringing together 20 industries, aims to create at least 100,000 jobs for unemployed youth in 2018. Launched on Monday, the multi-sector Jobs Summit initiative aims to kick start 20 industry initiatives, with targeted industry task teams developing sector-specific plans to create 5,000 jobs for each of their sectors. The Ubuntu Initiative, the brainchild of 200 companies working over the past 12 months to find solutions, will address the mismatch between available jobs and unemployed youth, said the initiative’s CE Stefan Lauber at the launch. Four labour-intensive industries are a particular focus, namely information and communication technology, retail, security and media. There were seven pillars to job creation, Lauber explained, citing the macroeconomic environment, the regulatory environment, infrastructure development, direct investment, competitiveness, skills development and small and medium-sized enterprise development. The initiative is focusing on the latter two, obtaining CEO and ministerial buy-in and jointly agreeing on the mechanisms that will help the initiative monitor the progress of the various projects. The CEOs of the relevant participating companies will meet quarterly, with a “CEO Council” set up to track progress. Read this report in full at Engineering News. See too, Jobs Summit to focus on creating 100,000 jobs in 2018, at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Promise of no job cuts as Airlink and Safair plan to merge TimesLive reports that independent aviation companies Airlink and Safair have inked a merger deal in order to pool their costs. In a statement on Monday‚ the companies said they would on Tuesday be applying to the Competition Commission for approval to unite under the common umbrella of the Airlink group of companies. The airlines will retain their respective products‚ aircraft fleets‚ management and leadership teams. "Employees will be secure with no job losses because of the consolidation‚" the companies pledged. “Coming under a single umbrella will create economies of scale that will enable both airlines to share costs‚ optimise assets and remove systems duplications. This will position the new Airlink Group for future growth‚” said Elmar Conradie‚ who will remain as Safair CEO. Read this report in full at TimesLive. Read too, Airlink to request regulatory approval to merge with low-cost airline Safair, at Business Report Other internet posting(s) in this news category
No disciplinary action after Senqu municipal boss convicted of fraud seven months ago DispatchLive reports that seven months after being convicted on three counts of fraud, Senqu local municipality municipal manager, Mxolisi Yawa, is still serving in his position. He was convicted along with his personal assistant, her mother and business partner and former CFO Chris Venter. The four will be sentenced on 6 February in the Komani Magistrate’s Court. Yawa and Venter were convicted of fraud and of violating the Municipal Finance Management Act. The other two were found guilty of having entered into a fraudulent deal with the municipality. On the period between conviction and sentencing, the Criminal Procedure Act states that a convicted person can be suspended by an employer in terms of the employment contract, which means Senqu council has the authority to decide whether to suspend Yawa. Municipal spokesman Pheello Oliphant said the four planned to appeal their convictions on the basis that the magistrate had erred in his judgment. He explained that while Yawa had been placed on special leave following his conviction, but after seeking legal advice the council had decided to rescind this decision. Read this report by Zolile Menzelwa in full at DispatchLive Gauteng paid R76m over seven years for suspended employees to stay at home The Star writes that the trend of the Gauteng government paying suspended employees to stay at home doing nothing is getting worse, with R75.7m blown in the past seven years on salaries of officials placed on precautionary suspension. The Public Service Commission (PSC) has slammed the administration of Premier David Makhura (and the previous administration) for failing to ensure efficient and effective use of resources on good human resource management and career development practices. The amount of funds spent on precautionary suspension increased by 10% in 2016/17 compared to 2015/16, and the amount paid to officials placed on suspension for a period more than required increased by 4%, the PSC’s ‘State of the Public Service in Gauteng 2017’ report shows. It also reveals that 607 cases of financial misconduct amounting to over R1.26bn were reported in Gauteng government departments. The PSC found that grievances and disciplinary hearings not being concluded within time-frames was one of the provincial government’s “fundamental recurring systemic challenges.” For every 41 officials placed on precautionary suspensions, only six officials were invited to attend disciplinary hearings within the prescribed 60 days. Read this report by Loyiso Sidimba in full at The Star
Cape Town Metrorail commuters robbed, man shot when trying to flee GroundUp reports that on Friday five men, two of them armed with handguns, entered a full carriage on a Metrorail Cape Town-bound train and began to rob passengers. Three passengers managed to escape to another carriage, where they alerted the security guards. But, the guards were only armed with batons. A commuter was shot in the foot when he also tried to escape. He bled profusely, but no one could assist him while the train was in motion. Riana Scott of Metrorail confirmed that security reported an on-board robbery between Langa and Bontheuwel stations. The robbers, who had ordered everyone in the carriage to take out money, cellphones and wallets and collected the loot in bags, fled the train when it stopped at Langa station. The shot commuter dragged himself to the platform. A witness, Corben Mukandi, then helped the injured man cover his wound before he was taken to hospital. He that said throughout the ordeal the security guards stood aloof and did not help. "We commuters deserve security because we are their customers. They cannot do business without us," Mukandi said. Read this report by Bernard Chiguvare in full at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
See our listing of links to labour articles published on the internet on Monday, 27 November 2017 at SA Labour News
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