In our Friday roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that have appeared since
midday on Thursday, 17 August 2017.
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Man critical after machinery fell on him in factory in Benoni The Citizen reports that a man was critically injured on Thursday morning following an industrial accident at a factory in Benoni. According to ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring, paramedics were called to the factory where they found the man, believed to be in his 40s, lying next to a large frame and winch, which had apparently fallen on top of him. He had sustained a serious injury to the head and was in a critical condition. “He was provided with advanced life support interventions in an effort to stabilise his vital signs,” said Meiring. This short report is on page 6 of The Citizen of 18 August 2017. See too, Man kritiek ná masjinerie op hom val in fabriek in Benoni, at Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
NUM leader gunned down in Marikana on Thursday City Press reports that a National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) leader in Marikana was gunned down on Thursday, a day after the Marikana Massacre commemoration events in the area. A police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, confirmed the incident and added: “Following an incident in which a 30 year old man was shot and killed at approximately 11:00 today (Thursday) at Marikana town, police are investigating a case of murder. The victim was allegedly shot by a male whose identity is unknown. At this stage, no one has been arrested.” The union member, who cannot yet be named, was killed on his way to meet with a union colleague. The leader, who was one of several who left the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) earlier this year and rejoined the NUM, was apparently warned recently that his life was in danger. Read this report by Lesetja Malope in full at City Press Silicosis class action lawsuit 'being handled' out of court EWN reports that the mining companies facing a class action lawsuit to compensate miners afflicted with silicosis have provisionally set aside between $30 million and $100 million for a possible settlement. They say the matter is being handled out of court. The companies involved include Sibanye Gold, Harmony Gold, African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American SA, AngloGold Ashanti and Gold Fields. The mining companies involved, known as the industry working group, do not believe they are liable in respect of the claims brought, but have indicated they are committed to finding solutions to what they have called “a legacy issue” in the sector. Spokesperson for the working group, Allan Fine, commented that “neither the companies nor claimants believe it would be best to pursue this through the courts for the next 10 to 15 years.” Read this report by EWN. Read too, Sibanye Gold sets aside R1.1bn for possible silicosis settlement, at EWN. And also, Silicosis lawsuit: Mining companies hope to settle out of court, at EWN Zwane defends Mining Charter as cornerstone of radical economic transformation Fin24 reports that Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane on Friday defended the controversially revised Mining Charter as the cornerstone of radical economic transformation. Addressing a Black Business Council’s business breakfast, he described the Charter as a decisive and deliberate tool by government to improve the lives of the majority of South Africans. He went on to say: "The 2017 Mining Charter gives practical expression to radical economic transformation. It is a decisive and deliberate action by government. It classically defines the transformation we need." The minister dismissed concerns that the Charter was not achievable and said it would bring about much-needed change. Zwane will defend the Charter in court next month against the Chamber of Mines, which has asked the court to set it aside. Read this report by Yolandi Groenewald in full at Fin24. See too, It’s time for industry to stand up against Mining Charter, says Gold Fields boss Holland, at Mining Weekly Other general posting(s) related to mining
Marikana used for political gain, says ANC The New Age reports that ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said on Thursday that politicians continued to use the Marikana tragedy to score political points. He said the tragedy changed the South African labour dispute landscape, but it has been turned into political point-scoring for opposition parties. Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) president Joseph Mathunjwa was at the Marikana commemoration on Wednesday, alongside opposition party leaders including the EFF's Julius Malema and the UDM's Bantu Holomisa. During the commemoration, there was a demand that 16 August be made a public holiday. Many attending the commemoration said they were still waiting for justice to be served on those who gave instructions to pull the trigger and those who followed those orders. Read this report in full at HTSyndication. See too, ‘Declare August 16 a public holiday’, at Daily News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Satawu members at e-toll collection company protest at Transport Minister's office TimesLive reports that members of the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) marched on the office of the Transport Minister on Thursday demanding intervention into “rampant abuse of power” by e-toll management. The union accused the Road Traffic Infringement Agency and Centurion company Electronic Toll Collection of “flouting the law” by not affording Satawu representation for its members‚ despite a ruling by the CCMA in favour of the union. This was said to be preventing the union from addressing workers’ grievances‚ which included salary disparities between workers doing the same jobs and deductions of 50% from the 13th cheques of workers who had been issued with written warnings. “Employees are also concerned about the rampant abuse of power and maladministration by management who routinely show a flagrant disregard for the agency’s policies‚” the union’s statement indicated. Allegations of nepotism and tribalism were also levelled at area managers who were said to have employed their friends into positions. Read this report by Aron Hyman in full at TimesLive. See too, Satawu protests against flouting of labour laws, at HTSyndication (The New Age) Workers at Bank Note Company march to Reserve Bank over medical aid subsidy and salaries Pretoria News reports that workers of the SA Bank Note Company want their bosses at the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) to subsidise their medical aid as promised and to increase their wages. They marched to the SARB on Wednesday to indicate that they had grievances and would not work unless those were addressed. Shop steward Moses Fikile Mane stated: “Medical aid is a condition of employment at our company, but amazingly the Reserve Bank is not subsidising under the false pretext of total guaranteed packages. Reserve Bank employees are subsidised for medical aid, and there is no logic in that we aren’t.” About salaries he said: “The company is offering workers a 6.6% wage increase yet we are demanding 8.5%, but that is negotiable. Other problems are salary disparities which are not attended to.” The SARB’s Morgan Pillay received the memorandum and assured the protesters it would reach the intended authorities and their demands would be responded to. Read this report by Rudzani Matshili in full at Pretoria News
Coastal and marine tourism could create 116,000 direct jobs by 2026, says Minister BusinessLive reports that Cabinet has approved the coastal and marine tourism implementation plan, which the Department of Tourism will spearhead. Tourism Minister Tokozile Xasa said in a statement on Friday that the aim was "to grow a world-class and sustainable coastal and marine tourism destination that leverages SA’s competitive advantage in nature, culture, and heritage". She went on to indicate: "The coastal and marine tourism sector will contribute about R21.4bn to the GDP and create about 116,000 direct jobs by 2026. These estimates are conservative as they are growing off a low 2015 base of a R11.9bn direct contribution to GDP and 64,400 direct jobs." The plan will prioritise destinations rather than individual tourism projects or products. Initiatives will be concentrated on marketing, events and routes; regulations and permits; research and spatial planning; beach precinct development, tourism infrastructure and tourism safety; maritime tourism; and skills development. Read this report by Linda Ensor in full at BusinessLive Youth unemployment crisis: Jonas begs government and private sector to reconcile BizNews reports that former deputy finance minister, Mcebisi Jonas says SA’s 70% youth joblessness is begging the government and the private sector to get over their mistrust and antagonism of one another. He was speaking at the launch of a series of reports by the Centre for Development Enterprise (CDE) that deal with tackling youth unemployment. Jonas said youth unemployment was a national crisis and new, radical measures should be taken to confront it. While policy uncertainty, ANC party-infighting and corruption were responsible for major corporates sitting on R1.4 trillion that could jump-start the economy, Zuptoid state capture has also put paid to several pragmatic, hugely innovative job creation initiatives. One such example is the now-stalled Youth Employment Service Programme aimed at creating 330,000 jobs a year. A joint initiative of top business leaders, it was aimed at creating internships to boost township economies. Read this report in full at BizNews
RPM takes overturned dismissal for use of words “swart man” to ConCourt Sowetan reports that Rustenburg Platinum Mines (RPM) will square off with its white former employee who was fired for calling a black contractor a “swart (black) man” in a fit of rage over a parking spot. RPM and its former senior training officer Meyer Bester are still embroiled in a bitter legal battle over a 2013 incident in which Bester stormed into a meeting and demanded in Afrikaans that chief safety officer Ben Sedumedi remove “that black man’s car”. Bester said he used the words “swart man” to describe contractor Solly Tlhomelang because he did not know his name. Following his dismissal, Bester was reinstated after approaching the CCMA, but the company succeeded in having the CCMA ruling overturned by the Labour Court last year. In May, Bester was again reinstated after the Labour Appeal Court set aside the lower court’s judgment. However, the company has now approached the Constitutional Court, saying it had no choice but to fire Bester as he was never forthright about the course of events. This short report by Loyiso Sidimba is on page 6 of Sowetan of 18 August 2017 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Ten injured after Metrorail train derails near Bellville station on Friday ANA reports that at least ten people suffered minor to moderate injuries when a train carriage derailed near Bellville station in Cape Town on Friday morning. At about 08:15, paramedics from ER24, Metro EMS and Rescue Services, police, as well as other services, arrived on the scene. ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak indicated: “Five passengers were found near the platform and another five were found on the far side of the tracks. Upon assessment, paramedics found that they sustained scrapes and bruises while one person sustained a moderate injury to her knee.” The injured were transported to hospitals for further care. The accident caused major disruptions on the Northern line and Metrorail was working to clear the scene in time for the peak hour afternoon traffic. A short report is at Engineering News Other internet posting(s) in this news category Long delays expected on Cape Town’s Northern line, at EWN
See our listing of links to labour articles published on the internet on Thursday, 17 August 2017 at SA Labour News
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