In our Thursday roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that have appeared since
midday on Wednesday, 16 August 2017.
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Marikana tragedy commemorated by Amcu on Wednesday ANA reports that thousands of Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) members braved the windy, dusty weather on Wednesday to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Marikana tragedy. Dressed in green union regalia, mineworkers and union members gathered at the foot of the infamous koppie (hill) in the Nkaneng informal settlement to remember 34 of their colleagues who died when the police shot them on 16 August 2012. Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said the Marikana massacre was different from the Sharpeville and Langa massacres because it happened under a constitutional democracy. He also called for a change in the electoral system to allow the electorate to elect the president directly and said that by 2019 he could lead a Labour Party, and make sure there were only two parties — the labour party and the democrats. Mathunjwa claimed that from next year mineworkers would earn over R12,500 per month. Lonmin CEO, Ben Magara, urged workers to work together with the mine to fix the conditions at the mine and in Africa. Read this report in full at The Citizen. Read too, Marikana massacre no different to Sharpeville massacre, says Amcu, at News24 R10,000 or more for new platinum miners, says Amcu’s Joseph Mathunjwa ANA reports that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) said on Wednesday that no new entrant mineworker when employed in the platinum mines should earn less than R10,000 a month on basic salary. Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa said this at the fifth anniversary of the Marikana tragedy commemoration at the Nkaneng informal settlement, where 34 Lonmin mineworkers were killed when the police opened fire on them on 16 August 2012. He recalled that when his union led a five-month long strike in the platinum mines in Rustenburg, it was said they were going to ruin the economy. “What Amcu can report without fear of any contradictions is that we managed to dismantle solid apartheid foundations of which the salary of mineworkers were built upon. To change the situation they (mineworkers) had to think outside the box…” Mathunjwa also said a study conducted by Wits University found that the union’s R12,500 wage demand could have been achieved as far back as 2006. Read this report in full at The Citizen. See too, Amcu vows to end exploitation of mineworkers, at SABC News Lonmin’s ‘no work no pay’ policy over attendance at Marikana events sparks anger The New Age reports that unions have strongly condemned Lonmin and its CEO Ben Magara over his statement that miners who skipped work on Wednesday to attend occasions in remembrance of the Marikana massacre would be subjected to a “no work, no pay” policy. Magara’s statement raised eyebrows and provoked anger, which resulted in him being booed on Wednesday when he arrived at the Nkaneng event. National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) Phakamile Hlubi said: “We condemn Lonmin for this cruel response in the face of the suffering of the workers at Marikana. We believe August 16 should be declared a holiday so that if workers wish to commemorate this day, they can do so freely.” Cosatu condemned Lonmin’s actions and called for the platinum producer to reconsider its decision. Other unions such as the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) shared the same sentiments. Read this report by Akani Mangena in full at The New Age. See too, August 16 must be a public holiday, says Malema, at The Citizen. And also, PAC wants 16 August to be declared a public holiday, at The Citizen. As well as, North West plans to commemorate Marikana massacre in September, at EWN TMG Digital writes that mineworker Nelson Zansi, a rock drill operator at Lonmin’s Saffy shaft, is bubbling with hope of a better life‚ on the backdrop of the bloodiest history of post-apartheid South Africa. He had no livestock when he left his Eastern Cape village of Ngqeleni to seek employment in the platinum belt three years ago. Today‚ Zansi has 26 cattle to his name back home. More than everything‚ the father of four says the pay at the mine is getting closer to R12,500‚ the amount 34 of his colleagues were gunned down fighting for on 16 August 2012. He is also looking forward to moving into one of the new hostels Lonmin is building‚ as ordered by the Marikana Commission. “All this is testimony that our brothers did not die in vain. What they fought for is materialising. Now I take home R12,300. We are getting there,” Zansi says. At Lonmin’s Number One hostel‚ several widows of miners who died in the police shooting are comfortable. The block has come to be known as the “Widows’ Block”. The widows confirmed that they have been given jobs in the place of their killed husbands. Spokesperson Wendy Tlou said Lonmin had now provided housing for half its category 4-8 workforce, though progress was slow due to economic conditions and the subsequent collapse of platinum prices. She however claimed the company has accomplished a great deal in a difficult environment. Read this report by Sipho Mabena in full at BusinessLive. Read too, Lonmin remains blind to the plight of Marikana victims, says Foundation, on page 16 of Business Report of 16 August 2017 Lonmin unveils proposal for Marikana memorial park; showcases new apartments Mining Weekly reports that platinum producer Lonmin on Tuesday unveiled its proposed design for a Marikana memorial park and announced the occupation of its infill apartments a day before the fifth anniversary of the Marikana massacre. Thirty-four miners died and at least 70 were injured on 16 August 2012 when police opened fire during a mining strike at Marikana, following a week of heightened tensions between the mineworkers, security forces and Lonmin management. The memorial project is still in its infancy and the company will consult with employees and stakeholders on the proposed design. Lonmin, meanwhile, also launched the first two phases of infill apartments at the Wonderkop and Eastern sites, close to the company’s converted hostel family units. The R410m development currently comprises 493 completed units, of which 403 have been occupied by the company’s employees. A further 300 units, which form part of Phase 3 are currently under construction and will be ready for occupancy in December. Read this report in full at Mining Weekly. See too, Lonmin unveils plan for memorial park in Marikana, at EWN Charges relating to Marikana deaths prior to 16 August 2012 still pending ANA reports that the fifth anniversary of the Marikana tragedy when 34 striking mineworkers were shot dead by police is being commemorated by mineworkers at a time when other workers are facing criminal cases in the North West High Court relating to the upheaval in the platinum mining belt in 2012. Eighteen mineworkers, charged with the murder of ten people in Marikana near Rustenburg in North West during a violent strike at Lonmin mine five years ago, made a brief appearance in the North West High Court sitting in Rustenburg on 31 July. The case was postponed to 13 October for their legal representation to file an application to the National Director of Public Prosecution for him to review his decision not to withdraw the charges against the mineworkers. The charges relate to the murder of 10 people, preceding 16 August 2012, the day on which 34 mineworkers were killed by the police. Nineteen mineworkers were initially arrested, but accused No 10, Majeke Nonkonyana, has since died. Read this report by Molaole Montsho in full at IOL News Miners injured at Marikana preparing to challenge Farlam finding, says Mpofu BusinessLive reports that legal representative Dali Mpofu said on Wednesday that mineworkers who were injured during the Marikana massacre were preparing to challenge the findings of the commission of inquiry into the events in August 2012. The Farlam commission, set up by President Jacob Zuma after the killing of 44 mine workers and others during a violent strike at a Lonmin mine in 2012, has not revealed the truth about what transpired, according to Mpofu. He was among the speakers who spoke to mineworkers and community members at a commemoration ceremony near the hill where 34 workers were shot dead by the police on 16 August 2012. Opposition party leaders said it was a disgrace that five years later, the government had still not apologised or financially compensated the families of the slain mineworkers. Mpofu also claimed that the government’s commitment to pay close to R1.2bn to Marikana claimants was a political tool used to appease South Africans in the last elections, as nothing had come of it. Read this report by Theto Mahlakoana in full at BusinessLive. Read too, Stop using Marikana for point-scoring, says ANC, at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Transport union demands action after train driver and commuters robbed in Cape Town EWN reports that transport union Untu (United National Transport Union) on Wednesday reiterated that drastic measures were needed to improve security at railway stations and on trains in Cape Town. This came after another union member was attacked along with commuters by three armed robbers near Bontheuwel Station on Tuesday at about 13:22. The union's Sonja Carstens said that apart from the commuters, the train driver has been left traumatised. She went on to state: “When he got to work during the afternoon, there were no armed guards to escort him. Remember Prasa announced months ago that armed guards would escort all train drivers on the central line. He didn’t have any armed guards escorting him and this is what happened.” There have been numerous attacks on train drivers, especially on the central line in the past few years. A short report by Shamiela Fisher is at EWN. Read Untu’s press statement in this regard at Untu online Labour Minister's office to urgently probe pit bull attack on domestic Cape Times reports that Minister of Labour Mildred Oliphant’s office says it is investigating “as a matter of urgency” an incident involving a Cape Town domestic worker who was mauled by two of her employer's pit bulls while working at his home. Oliphant said she would make a determination after investigating. Lilian Mkosi, 57, was attacked by her employer Brent Chad's dogs at his Monte Vista home while he was nore present. “This incident allegedly happened despite the domestic worker repeatedly reporting the imminent danger that these dogs were posing to her,” said the department's spokesperson, Sithembele Tshwete. Oliphant also reminded employers that the Occupational Health and Safety Act encouraged employers to prevent and remove hazards in every workplace. Mkosi said she planned to sue Chad and that his promise to pay for medical bills was not enough. Read this report by Sandiso Phaliso in full at Cape Times Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SABC 8 honoured with IIA SA's Guardian of Governance award News24 reports that the eight SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) journalists, who were fired for speaking out against the broadcaster's decision to censor coverage of protests, have been honoured with the annual Guardian of Governance award for their bravery. The awards were presented at the Sandton Convention Centre during the 20th Annual Southern Africa Internal Audit Conference on Tuesday. The SABC fired the journalists in July 2016, after they questioned then COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng's decision to no longer air footage of violent protests. Seven of the eight journalists were subsequently reinstated following a court ruling. The SABC eight are the late Suna Venter, Foeta Krige, Krivani Pillay, Thandeka Gqubule, Busisiwe Ntuli, Lukhanyo Calata, Vuyo Mvoko, and Jacques Steenkamp. During her dispute with the SABC, Venter was subjected to intimidation, victimisation, and death threats. She was found dead in her flat on 29 June. She had been diagnosed with a cardiac condition known as stress cardiomyopathy. Read this report by Jeanette Chabalala in full at News24 Solidarity ready to continue SABC 8 costs bid with or without Motsoeneng EWN reports that trade union Solidarity says it will continue with its case to have Hlaudi Motsoeneng held personally liable for legal costs incurred in the dismissals of the so called SABC 8 journalists even should he not be present in court. Motsoeneng failed to appear in the Labour Court on Tuesday morning. Lawyers representing the respondents, namely former SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) head of news Simon Tebele, Motsoeneng and the SABC, withdrew last week. On Tuesday Tebele asked for more time to find new lawyers. Solidarity's Anton van der Bijl said the union believed Motsoeneng should held solely liable for the costs incurred in the unfair dismissals and added: “We’re adamant that he was the author of the directive to dismiss the SABC 8.” It is unclear who will represent Motsoeneng when the case resumes in September. A short report by Kgomotso Modise is at EWN. Read Solidarity’s press statement in this regard at Solidarity online. See too, Motsoeneng could still be hit with a hefty legal bill over SABC 8, at TimesLive
The difficult task of avoiding platinum industry job cuts Financial Mail writes that platinum mining companies are having to take painful decisions to make operations resilient in the face of low prices, regulatory uncertainty, labour and community protests and an unclear demand outlook. While the industry’s three biggest platinum miners — Amplats, Impala Platinum and Sibanye Gold — are holding their heads above water, some of the smaller producers, such as Atlatsa at its Bokoni mine, Platinum Group Metals at Maseve and Royal Bafokeng Platinum at Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine recently announced they would have to restructure operations and retrench staff. Kagiso Asset Management’s Abdul Davids says there are likely to be more retrenchments in the industry as persistently low platinum group metals (PGM) prices and high operating cost inflation (especially wage growth) mean 70% of the industry is loss making. The labour-intensive mines are under the highest pressure and there is an increasing profitability gap between them and the lower-cost mechanised mines, which have actually done well operationally. Lonmin CEO Ben Magara refused to be drawn on whether that company’s restructuring would involve job cuts. Meantime, labour relations seem to have stabilised compared with 2012 and 2014. But, platinum mines experience more community protests than other mining companies because they are located in the poorest parts of SA — the former homelands — where unemployment and poverty are rife. Read this in-depth article by Charlotte Mathews in full at Financial Mail. Read too, Why the platinum industry is in a worse place five years after Marikana, at Financial Mail (paywall access) Zama zamas demand mining permits from Minerals Minister Mosebenzi Zwane Daily Maverick reports that illegal miners (zama zamas), organised under the banner of Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua), took to the streets of Pretoria on Tuesday and marched on the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) to deliver a memorandum of demands. Among their demands were that the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act be scrapped and that zama zamas be decriminalised. “We are here for recognition, to tell (the department) that we also exist, that we are not criminals and that we are not doing anything bad, just trying to provide for our families,” said Mmileng Bairwang, a small-scale miner from Kimberley. He added that they wanted the government to formalise illegal mining and to address the impact of abandoned and unrehabilitated mines. Mineral Regulation Chief director Modilati Malapane accepted the memo on behalf of the minister and assured the marchers that the issues raised would be addressed. Macua gave the department seven days to respond to their demands. Read this report by Orateng Lepodise in full at Daily Maverick. See too, Illegal mining should be made legal, zama zama miners demand, at News24. And also, Zama zamas betoog vir erkenning, at Netwerk24 (limit on access) Other labour/community posting(s) related to mining
Postings on Mining Charter
Electricity intensive firms to approach Nersa for new job-saving tariff deal Engineering News reports that the Energy Intensive Users Group (EIUG) intends to approach the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) before the end of September with a proposal for structural changes to Eskom’s tariff for large power users. It will propose removing existing cross-subsidies to assist businesses whose future sustainability is being placed in jeopardy by the utility’s current fast-rising price path. In motivating for the short-term tariff relief, the EIUG will argue that competitive prices for electricity heavy firms will help stimulate economic growth and stave off the job losses that are likely to arise should these companies be forced to accept the further double digit tariff increases being sought by Eskom. The proposed tariffs should not be accessible only to EIUG members and direct Eskom customers, but also to any company that meets the criteria set by the regulator. Importantly, these more cost-reflective tariffs should also be available to power-intensive firms that buy their electricity from municipal distributors. The EIUG’s planned approach to Nersa comes against the background of falling domestic electricity consumption, which has declined by 0.5% a year on average since 2006. Read this report in full at Engineering News Government not doing enough to tackle youth unemployment, says Mcebisi Jonas SABC News reports that according to former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas, government has not put enough emphasis on policy development to tackle youth unemployment. He was speaking at the launch of a series of reports on tackling youth unemployment on Wednesday. Jonas also said the education system needed to be fixed in order to achieve economic growth and sustainable job creation. He stated: We've got to respond to the crisis. We are not responding. You can't build an economy or create jobs for labour market that you don't have. You've got create something that responds to the crisis. I think industrial policy can play at both levels. The problem we have now is that we have fewer instruments to support labour intensive sector.” The unemployment rate among youth aged 15 to 34 increased from 32.7% to 36.1% between 2008 and 2014. This short report by Ditaba Tsotetsi is at SABC News. Read too, Jonas asks if SA has appropriate leadership to get out of youth unemployment crisis, at EWN. And also, CDE: Millions of unemployed youths need sweeping structural transformation, at BusinessLive. As well as, SA youth urged by Nelson Mandela Foundation to be proactive in job creation, at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Companies urged to review employment equity plans Fin24 reports that the Department of Labour (DOL) is intensifying its efforts to root out JSE-listed companies that contravene the Employment Equity (EE) Act. Recent amendments to the act will see businesses facing even harsher consequences for non-compliance, Justine Combrink of Mazars has cautioned. She noted that the DOL has singling out the JSE Limited as one of the offenders warned to get their house in order and has issued a statement that it would be reviewing another 72 JSE-listed companies by the end of December 2017. "This review will not only involve a test as to whether the plans are submitted and reported, but also an interrogation of the plans. Any companies found not to have reported correctly will be hit with fines amounting to R1.5m," said Combrink. Those failing to report on EE plans will also be subjected to a penalty of R1.5m. Companies that did report an EE plan, but didn’t actually have or apply it, will possibly even be taken to criminal courts. Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant has also warned that she would proclaim section 53 of the EE Act to block non-compliant companies from doing business with the state. Read this report in full at Fin24
ArcelorMittal SA initiates retrenchment talks as it pushes ahead with restructuring plan Engineering News reports that steel producer ArcelorMittal SA (AMSA) announced on Tuesday that it had initiated consultations with employees regarding its proposed business-restructuring programme, which could result in job losses. CEO Wim de Klerk said in a statement that it was premature to provide an estimate as to the number of employees who could be retrenched. However, it was possible that more than 50 employees could lose their jobs. The JSE-listed company currently employs over 8,600 people directly and more than 3,200 contractors. The retrenchment talks follow AMSA’s announcement of a R1.6bn headline loss for the six months to 30 June; a performance that was attributed to weak domestic market conditions, particularly in the infrastructure markets, and surging input costs. However, the talks also come amid a strong increase in protection for primary steel products. Read this report in full at Engineering News. Read too, ArcelorMittal SA to cut staff as steel sector outlook dims, at BusinessLive. And also, ArcelorMittal SA considers job cuts, restructuring, at Moneyweb Labour unions to fight ArcelorMittal SA’s retrenchments Business Report writes that angry labour unions are planning to oppose job cuts at ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa). The steel producer announced on Tuesday that it planned to retrench more than 50 employees as low demand, rising costs, a strong rand and SA’s sluggish economy necessitated further cost cutting measures. The company cannot yet say exactly how many people or which operations will be affected as the consultation process with employees and unions must first be concluded and all avoidance measures fully explored. Trade union Solidarity said it would hold serious talks with Amsa to discuss alternatives so that retrenchments would be considered as a last resort. “We will do everything we can to prevent possible retrenchments,” said the union’s Marius Croucamp. He described the restructuring as a major blow for employment in Newcastle, Saldanha and the Vaal Triangle. National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) general secretary Irvin Jim commented: “I can promise you and workers we are going to do everything our power not to run away from engagement but to fight and oppose any form of job losses at Amsa”. Read this report by Dineo Faku in full at Business Report. See too, Solidarity warns of ‘major impact’ should AMSA proceed with job cuts, at Mining Weekly. Read Solidarity’s press statement in this regard at Solidarity online Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Unizulu rocked by allegations of fabrication of nursing students’ marks The Citizen reports that whistleblowers allege that hundreds of nurses who graduated from the University of Zululand over the past three years failed to meet the minimum requirements to qualify as nurses as set by the SA Nursing Council (SANC). An instruction to fabricate marks was allegedly given by head of department Professor Thokozani Mhlongo. Another source, corroborating the allegation, said between three to four people, including the head of department, knew about the scandal. “What transpired is that the data submitted to SANC required the breakdown of all the modules, these were not available, so we went ahead and fabricated the marks.” The whistleblower said the matter reached a boiling when SANC retrospectively requested the 2014/2015/2016 batch of portfolio of evidence with the marks allocation. It is claimed this was when lecturers were forced to take the only module examined and devised a mathematical formula “to avoid it looking like that one mark was split between different modules”. The SANC has given an assurance that it would look into the allegations. Read this report by Gosebo Mathope in full at The Citizen
Cosatu welcomes stalling of unpopular plan to annuitise provident fund payouts BusinessLive reports that labour federation Cosatu has hailed the Treasury’s decision to delay the implementation of the compulsory annuitisation of two-thirds of provident fund payouts as a "victory for workers". Implementation of the measure, which Cosatu has fought against since it was first mooted, has been shifted from 1 March 2018 to 1 March 2019 in order for discussions on the government’s comprehensive social security document to take place within the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac). This is the third postponement of the measure, which was originally to have been introduced in 2015. Treasury’s Chris Axelson said on Tuesday that both labour and business supported a postponement, but he stressed the Treasury "still want to be very strong on this.” The proposal would require that two-thirds of withdrawals from provident funds on retirement be converted into an annuity with only one-third being capable of being taken as cash. Read this report by Linda Ensor in full at BusinessLive. See too, Treasury seeks further delay in provident fund annuitisation change, at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Tshwane commuters to get relief as taxis expected to operate on Thursday EWN reports that Tshwane commuters can expect some relief as taxis are expected to operate normally on Thursday morning. On Wednesday, operators blocked several roads causing massive delays while they proceeded to Tshwane House to submit a memorandum to Mayor Solly Msimanga. Among the demands made was that traffic contravention tickets be scrapped. The Democratic Taxi Workers Union of SA’s (Detwusa’s) Themba Maseko said: “Our demands are the scrapping of the traffic fines because those fines block our PDPs and driver’s licenses and we can’t drive passengers without our PDPs.” Detwusa has given the metro 14 days to respond to its issues or face yet another strike action. Read this report by Pelane Phakgadi in full at EWN. Read too, Tshwane taxi drivers want fines scrapped, at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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