Asked for comment, Impact Loss Control threatened legal action By Joseph Chirume Employees of a Port Elizabeth security company went on a strike on Tuesday. They are demanding the company allow their union to be recognised. They are also demanding an improvement in their working conditions. About 20 security guards of Impact Loss Control sang outside the company premises in Markman industrial area....

But some mines will continue to fight class action suit By Ciaran Ryan Lawyers for thousands of gold miners afflicted by silicosis or tuberculosis lined up on the side of six mining groups this week to ask the Gauteng High Court to approve a R5 billion settlement agreement. The agreement provides for the payment of benefits worth R5 billion to mineworkers and the...

“We want to have our own piece of land so that we can do something for ourselves like growing gardens or sheep farming” By Zoë Postman On Friday morning about 100 people, mostly farm workers from various provinces, marched from Pieter Roos Park to the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein to demand better living and working conditions for farm workers. The group also called...

Oak Valley Estate says it complies with National Minimum Wage Act By Ashraf Hendricks Farm workers from Oak Valley Estate and supporters from Grabouw blocked the N2 highway near Sir Lowry’s Pass on Monday. They demanded a wage increase to R250 per day, an end to labour brokering, and the removal of single sex hostels. They have been on strike — organised by...

Company says it took reasonable measures and the period for claims has expired By Ciaran Ryan Twenty-two former underground miners are claiming more than R80 million in damages from Sasol Coal after they contracted serious lung and other diseases as a result of years of inhaling coal dust while working in underground coal mines. They are arguing that Sasol Coal was negligent in...

Government releases guidelines for municipalities to integrate Informal waste pickers into the economy By Zoë Postman According to a report by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSRI), waste pickers are estimated to collect 80 to 90% of discarded packaging and paper in the country. It is estimated that this saves municipalities hundreds of millions in landfill space. Yet waste pickers receive very...

Frontline health workers in Western Cape subjected to “unjustifiable, irresponsible and unfair treatment”, says union By Vincent Lali About 200 community health workers marched to the Western Cape Health Department in Cape Town on Tuesday. The National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) organised the protest. In a memorandum NUPSAW said the national health department had committed to integrating community health workers. The...

“I just want to do the right thing”, wife of Proexec owner tells court By Barbara Maregele The Western Cape High Court has granted an order compelling the owner of a Sea Point security company to pay outstanding provident fund contributions totalling at least R2.3 million. The company, Proexec Security Network, and its owner, Geoffrey Levy, failed to consistently pay contributions to the...

“It’s not an easy life but I have to do it to support my family back home” By Zoë Postman A community of waste pickers in Centurion are no longer facing eviction, at least not immediately. The Pretoria High Court has told the waste pickers, the City of Tshwane, and the owners of the property the waste pickers are living on to...

This is what every employer and employee needs to know By Wilmien Wicomb On 27 November, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Minimum Wage Act. This was a significant moment for workers, because while certain vulnerable employees in, for example, the farming, hospitality and domestic work sectors have had sector-specific minimum wage standards, this is the first time that a universal minimum wage...