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 Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related reports.
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New skilled work visa rules in place at last BL Premium reports that the way is finally open for skilled foreigners to apply for work visas under SA’s new points system, after the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) gazetted a revised version of its new visa regulations on Monday. The regulations, which also provide for new remote work visas, had to be withdrawn in March after the DHA gazetted them a day before the deadline for public comment. They have now been reissued with tweaks that remove problematic clauses in the March regulations, including the requirement for visa applicants under the points system to be able to “adapt within the republic” as well as the tax requirements imposed on remote visa applicants. The new points system for work visas will enable many more skilled foreigners to qualify, providing an alternative to the critical skills list and enabling those earning more than R1m to apply based on their age, qualifications, language skills, work experience and an offer of employment. The new rules also make it easier to get work visas for skilled people such as foreign film crew, academics and journalists who need to work in SA. And they remove or ease cumbersome aspects of the old rules. The DHA has also introduced a new “trusted employer” system to enable large employers to fast-track work visa applications. In April it said it had confirmed 72 employers as part of a pilot scheme and planned to open it to a further cohort of employers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hilary Joffe at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, SA's nomad visa - aimed at foreigners who earn more than R1m - takes effect, at Fin24
Two JMPD officers hospitalised after shootout with armed robbers in Marshalltown in Johannesburg News24 reports that two Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers were hospitalised after a shootout with armed robbers in Marshalltown on Tuesday evening. JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla said JMPD Region F1 Operations Unit officers were conducting static patrols on Delvers and Albert Street in Marshalltown. They were approached by a member of the public who reported an ongoing armed robbery at a spaza shop in Cornelius and Delvers Street. The officers made their way to the scene, where they were confronted by the suspects, who opened fire on them. "The officers, who were also armed, returned fire. Unfortunately, two officers were injured during the incident," said Fihla. According to the JMPD, the suspects were critically injured during the shootout. Two firearms were recovered from the scene. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 City of Cape Town spent R8.5m in 2023/24 on private security amid threats to water and sanitation staff in high-risk areas News24 reports that the City of Cape Town has been forced to spend R8.5 million on private security amid threats and intimidation against staff in high-risk areas. The City's water and sanitation department reports that since July last year, teams have faced 22 hijackings, including incidents in Khayelitsha, Philippi and Mfuleni. Out of 52 robberies, 16 were at gunpoint. Robbery incidents occurred in Khayelitsha, Blue Downs, Philippi, Strand, Gugulethu, Fisantekraal, Athlone and Bishop Lavis. Stolen items include cellphones, watches, 12 meter-reading devices, 14 tablets, and personal protective equipment (PPE) essential for field operations. This situation led to the City spending over R8.5 million on private security escorts in the 2023/24 financial year alone. Last month, two security contractor personnel escorting City staff in Philippi's Phola Park were shot dead. On Friday, one of two private security escorts, who were guarding a sewage pump station in Athlone while an electrical contractor was working at the facility, was also shot dead. Zahid Badroodien, the City's mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, indicated: “Threats to staff safety endanger employees and disrupt service delivery to our residents, potentially affecting community health and wellbeing, as well as causing emotional trauma to staff." He added that staff were unable to access certain areas due to safety concerns, leading to delays in maintenance and repairs, which compromised the quality of the service. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Johannesburg waste collection affected by strike at 10 Pikitup depots News24 reports that refuse collection in Johannesburg remains impacted by a strike by workers contracted to Pikitup who are demanding permanent positions from the waste management company. Pikitup's spokesperson, Muzi Mkhwanazi, said the protest had affected 10 of its 12 depots. He advised that law enforcement agencies, including the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Public Order Policing, and private security companies, “are working to defuse the situation at the 10 depots affected by the strike." According to Mkhwanazi, Pikitup's senior management had been deployed to the affected depots to engage with the workers and to emphasise that the rule of "no work, no pay" would be enforced. Pikitup management condemned the actions of protesters and appealed to them to refrain from "violent and threatening conduct, which prevents employees from fulfilling their responsibilities to the city's residents, who have a constitutional right to a clean environment." Last week, the general secretary of the Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Union of SA, Meshack Ntshauba, advised that contract workers were able to meet with City leaders. Ntshauba said the contractors were demanding permanent employment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and an investigation into allegations of corruption. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iviwe Mzandisi at News24 Pikitup looks to employ temps as wildcat strike continues, while protestors say casual workers must be absorbed SowetanLive reports that Pikitup has appealed to Joburg residents who are able to dispose of their waste at its integrated waste management facilities to do so. The City agency said on Monday that it would engage casual workers until a solution was found to the ongoing “wildcat” strike. The entity's spokesperson Muzi Mkhwanazi advised that about 10 depots were affected and only two were operational after workers downed tools. He said the depots were affected to varying degrees, with protesters using intimidation and threats to prevent workers from leaving the depot. Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Unions of SA spokesperson Meshack Ntshauba said that they wanted Pikitup to absorb about 300 casual workers. “We want these workers to be absorbed by Pikitup, not employed through these contractors who were recently appointed because the tender awarding was not done according to the book. We suspect that all the companies that have been awarded tenders for the casual workers at Pikitup do not meet certain criteria. We will, on Wednesday, file an urgent application to demand full disclosure on these companies so that we can be sure due diligence was followed,” he said. But, SA Municipal Workers’ Union regional secretary Thobani Nkosi said that due diligence had been done: “The allegations are baseless, and these contractors were appointed by the book, we were there as observers and we can assure you that proper procedures were followed." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Herman Moloi & Phathu Luvhengo at SowetanLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Hiring activity down, with more job seekers fighting for the few jobs available BusinessTech reports that according to CareerJunction’s latest employment insights report for Q1 2024, hiring activity dropped by 11% compared to Q1 2023. “Slowing hiring activity evident in the South African recruitment market may be partly attributed to current economic uncertainty. Economic instability or uncertainty, whether domestic or global, can dampen business confidence and investment, leading companies to be cautious about expanding their workforce. Factors such as fluctuations in commodity prices, political instability, or changes in government policies can all contribute to economic uncertainty,” CareerJunction commented. Overall, none of the four specific sectors looked at by CareerJunction (Admin, Office & Support; Business & Management; Finance; IT) saw an increase in hiring activity, with the IT sector (down 26% year-on-year) the hardest hit: CareerJunction said that analysing jobseeker engagement – the number of applications per job advert – allowed for insightful market views of labour dynamics. Although jobseeker engagement is usually high during the first quarter of the year, it increased significantly by 13% from Q1 2023 to Q1 2024, indicating elevated competition in the job search market. All four specific sectors saw increases in jobseeker engagement activity, with the IT sector seeing the most significant increase. Despite the start of the year typically being the time when the most hiring activity occurred, the first quarter of 2024 saw a drop in hiring activity from Q4 2023. Hiring activity decreased for IT (-15%), Business & Management (-7%), and Finance (-6%) professionals quarter-on-quarter. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luke Fraser at BusinessTech
Big fuel price cuts coming in June BusinessTech reports that data for the third week in May shows that South African motorists are in store for a sizeable cut to fuel prices – with petrol and diesel in line for reductions. According to week three data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), petrol and diesel prices are showing an over-recovery of between 83 and 90 cents per litre. Petrol prices could be coming down by 84-85 cents per litre, and diesel prices could be cut by 86-90 cents per litre. This will be thanks to a much stronger rand and lower global oil prices relative to April, both of which contributed to the over-recovery. According to Old Mutual Group Chief Economist, Johann Els, lower petrol prices are expected to have a cooling effect on inflation, with the group expecting CPI figures for April to settle at around 5.3% (the same as March). Els said that one of the primary drivers behind the recent higher-for-longer inflationary trend was the series of petrol price hikes witnessed throughout the year. SA started the year with a petrol price cut in January, but then experienced four consecutive hikes from February through to May. If the price relief for June follows through — which is all but guaranteed this late in the month — it will break the trend, and the total 2024 hike should reduce to around R2.15 per litre. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessTech
Ramaphosa extends army deployment at Eskom power stations and to support police in combating illegal mining TimesLIVE reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deployment of SA National Defence Force (SANDF) personnel at Eskom and around the country to fight crime and maintain law and order. He told parliament in two letters dated 15 May of the extension of the deployment of 746 members of the SANDF for service in co-operation with the police under Operation Prosper Eskom Power Stations. “Members of the SANDF deployed will, in co-operation with the SAPS, continue to protect and safeguard national key points and critical infrastructure in the energy sector (Eskom power stations) under Operation Prosper [from] April 1 2024 until March 31 2025,” he advised. The estimated cost is about R203.9m. Ramaphosa deployed soldiers to Eskom’s power stations in December 2022 to assist police protect the stations. This was at a time when criminals were reportedly targeting power stations, which led to plant breakdowns, diesel theft, cable theft and malicious damage to property. Ramaphosa also extended the deployment of 2,300 army members for service in co-operation with the police for the prevention and combating of crime and maintenance and preservation of law and order under Operation Prosper. He told National Assembly acting speaker Lechesa Tsenoli the SANDF members would continue to assist police from 29 April until 31 October to prevent and combat illegal mining activities. The cost is estimated to be R349.9m. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Andisiwe Makinana at TimesLIVE Not out of the woods yet, but there is visible progress, claims Eskom CEO Engineering News reports that on day 55 of no loadshedding in SA, newly appointed Eskom boss Dan Marokane warned that the country was “not of out the woods yet, but we have visible progress towards where we want to be, and we should acknowledge that”. Speaking at Enlit Africa 2024 held in Cape Town on Tuesday, Marokane said a debate anchored around suspicions about whether the improvement in electricity availability might be linked to the next week’s general elections was of little help. “We should keep on focusing on what we can do better. We are very committed as an Eskom team to do what we can to progress along this path of recovery,” he stated. Marokane added that there were “meaningful” megawatts coming to the grid later this year, including from the Medupi and Kusile coal power stations, as well as the Koeberg nuclear power station. “This will start building up the capacity and reserves we so badly need to ensure our energy security is improved,” he indicated. Marokane acknowledged that there were concerns around how Eskom’s continued operations of its coal-fired power stations would impact the multibillion-rand pledge government had received in support of its Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP), in return for a number of decarbonisation commitments. He confirmed that Eskom had raised the issue with the various global partners involved in this global funding programme and said Eskom would follow up with all the respective parties in June and July. It would also work to make “visible progress” with regards to its own clean energy projects, to showcase the utility’s commitment to a “blending of technologies”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Company retirement fund under fire for withholding pension without allowing member an opportunity to make representations Cape Times reports that the conduct of transport company FedEx SA came under the spotlight with the Deputy Pension Funds Adjudicator in a case involving the withholding of payment of an employee’s withdrawal benefit. Fedex Express South Africa Retirement Fund was found to have not afforded the member an opportunity to make representations as to why the benefit should not be withheld from him. According to submissions made to the adjudicator, the employer lodged criminal charges against the employee and others as a result of it suffering financial loss of approximately R4 million. Two cases of fraud were opened. Legal counsel for the employee, Naheem Essop argued that the fund had acted in breach of its fiduciary duties when it failed to comply with basic procedural requirements before exercising its discretion to withhold the employee’s payment. He said in matters concerning the withholding of benefits, funds were required to act in a manner whereby its impartiality could not be doubted. This was because the fund owed a fiduciary duty towards both the member and the employer. In his decision, the adjudicator said: “It is clear that the fund deprived itself of considering the employee’s response by not allowing him an opportunity to make representations to it before the decision to withhold was taken. The conduct of the board is a dereliction of its statutory and fiduciary duties to direct, control and oversee the operations of a fund in accordance with the applicable laws and the rules of the fund and to act with due care, diligence and good faith.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chevon Booysen at Cape Times Other internet posting(s) in this news category
GEMS medical aid says signing of NHI Bill a seminal moment for South Africa The Mercury reports that according to the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), the signing of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law on 15 May by the President was a seminal moment for the nation. Dr Stan Moloabi, principal officer at GEMS, said that this was a crucial step towards the country achieving universal health coverage. But, GEMS “recognises that there will be challenges and complexities involved in implementing such an important and complex health financing system.” Moloabi added that they were prepared with stakeholders to ensure the success of the NHI Bill. “As GEMS we are committed to working collaboratively with our principal, the employer, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups, in fact all stakeholders to overcome these challenges and ensure the success of the NHI for the benefit of all South African citizens.” He added that they “understand and are cognisant that this development is part of a phased-in implementation process as explained by various government officials. As we embark on this transformative journey towards a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system, GEMS calls for collaboration, social solidarity, and leadership, to realise the match towards universal healthcare coverage.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Yogashen Pillay at The Mercury
Emfuleni local municipality suspends three officials over alleged irregularities with debit order facility Sedibeng Ster reports that the Emfuleni Local Municipality has had to urgently stop its debit order facility due to irregularities and a possible organized scam. “The municipality has meanwhile suspended three officials who are allegedly involved in this. The possibility is not ruled out that more officials may be involved,” councillor Gerda Senekal of the FF Plus in Emfuleni reported. “The irregularities were uncovered when staff noticed that debit order amounts paid into the municipality’s bank account were significantly less than the actual outstanding amount. During a financial committee meeting, the FF Plus insisted that the matter be thoroughly investigated and that officials be held responsible for their actions. The party also insisted that if an internal investigation found the officials guilty, they should also be charged criminally,” said Senekal. Emfuleni is said to be in a ‘financial mess’ and apparently cannot pay its monthly debt to bulk service providers. “It cannot be afforded that the municipality is harmed internally as well,” Senekal pointed out. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Elsje Vermeulen at The Citizen
Clanwilliam teacher fired after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a Grade 9 pupil News24 reports that a teacher, in the job for more than 38 years, has been fired after allegedly standing so close to a Grade 9 pupil that his "private parts touched her buttocks". Bizarrely, the teacher, identified only as N Mouton, of Clanwilliam Senior Secondary School in the Western Cape, told a hearing convened by the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) that he and the 17-year-old pupil had a good relationship and "she asked him in the past to rub her with ointment". But, ELRC arbitrator Jacques Buitendag found that Mouton was unsuitable to work with children and that the general-secretary of the ELRC must submit his name to the Department of Social Development for inclusion in the Child Protection Register. The Western Cape education department alleged that Mouton sexually assaulted the learner by placing his hands underneath her bra strap and that "he also touched her buttocks and upper thigh and/or vagina". Buitendag indicated: "I find the learner to have been a credible witness and I prefer her version over that of Mr Mouton, which, for the major part, was not put to the learner.” He found, on a balance of probability, that Mouton had placed his hands under the pupil's clothes and had touched her buttocks and vagina. "There is no evidence that it was accidental. His conduct was of a sexual nature, deliberate, intentional and it was without consent." Buitendag said Mouton's conduct was inappropriate and unacceptable, and that he did not act in the pupil's interest. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at News24
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