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4 planned changes that every South African business should know about

Lawmakers are currently considering a number of draft pieces of legislation which are likely to have a direct impact on South African workers.

Domestic workers now qualify for workers’ compensation

The definition of ‘domestic worker’ includes gardeners, nannies, caregivers and chauffeurs employed in private households.

New members appointed to Commission for Employment Equity

Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi, has announced the appointment of new members to the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE)…

Give your two cents about the minimum wage

It is time again for the annual minimum wage review and South Africans have time until 29 December to comment on the proposed increase for general, domestic and farm workers…

South Africa’s major ‘transformation’ law takes a step forward

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour has asked for public comment on the proposed Employment Equity Amendment Bill.

UIF could collapse, warns labour minister Thulas Nxesi

(Bloomberg) –South Africa’s Employment and Labor Minister Thulas Nxesi has warned that the state-run Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) could collapse if it is forced to again extend special benefits to workers who’ve lost income as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

THE FIGURES THAT SHOW SA IS THE MOST UNEQUAL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD

A new report from Oxfam South Africa shows how the average (white, male) CEO takes home as much as 461 black women from the bottom ten percent of earners…

Employment Equity for Employers – Tips for a Successful EE Submission

It’s officially Employment Equity Submission season, as submissions for Employment Equity (EE) Reports are open with the Department of Employment until January 2021.

Why South Africa should adopt democratic socialism … and why it probably won’t

The ruling political and economic elites in South Africa appear to be either oblivious to or unconcerned about the prospects of the country falling off a fiscal cliff in the next four to five years. One way to avoid this would be to move urgently towards a system of democratic socialism – but that would run counter to the tenets of the ANC’s outdated National Democratic Revolution…

Minimum wage hotline shut down after flood of calls exhausts budget

After spending nearly R22m marketing a minimum wage whistle-blowing hotline, the department of employment and labour has run out of money to keep it going.

Shifting the focus from disability to ability

The topic of disability is still fraught with myths, stigma and shame, particularly in the context of the workplace. Most people don’t feel safe or comfortable enough to open up and talk about their disabilities at work and these conversations tend to remain hushed and held behind closed doors, especially when it comes to “invisible” disabilities…

UIF confirms qualifying fathers may claim benefits

Read all about it on our Facebook page by clicking on the Read more link below:

Getting fired for ‘underperforming’ at your job in South Africa – what you should know

Employee underperformance is a valid ground for dismissal in South African labour law, but as always, the process which is followed by an employer to ensure that the dismissal is fair is all-important, says Bradley Workman-Davies, director at Werksmans Attorneys…

Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi still mum on Ters benefits

Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi remains mum on whether the government will continue to pay Temporary Employer Relief Scheme (Ters) benefits to employees despite growing calls by political parties and labour unions to do so while the country is under lockdown Level 1…

You can get fired for bad tweets even when you’re not at work

Those who are lucky enough to still be employed should bear in mind that their digital footprint, acquired during lockdown, may come back to haunt them. As far as the law is concerned, it is now legally permissible to be fired for your digital deeds — if it causes reputational harm and “advocates hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion”, according to a court ruling…

Domestic workers will soon be covered for workplace injuries – and all employers will have to register

The Department of Employment and Labour says that its plans to move forward with amendments to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (Coida) which will include labour rights for domestic workers in South Africa…

The reawakened debate around apartheid-era race categories gives hope in a time of despair

How is it possible for so many people to give legal sanction to the apartheid categories reproduced in all official employment and transformation statistics?

Better Business Basics: Real transformation is needed

The extent that ill-advised transformation projects contributed and continue to contribute to the demise of our economy cannot be ignored.

Workplace amendment bills worth scrutinising

As we come closer to the end of the National State of Disaster, which has been extended to November 15, we note there are two new labour bills waiting to be debated by the various parliamentary structures and the public.

Gazette Notices » Labour

Click on the link to access the latest Gazette Notices…

Covid-19 regulation maze now easier to navigate for labour force

Over the past seven months we have received numerous regulations via Government Gazettes on Directions for employers and employees in the workplace…

Cannabis in the workplace: Uncharted territory, for now

Workplace policies about cultivation, use, and possession of cannabis need to be clear.

Teacher charged over ‘African’ claims on CV picking up pieces of ’difficult journey’

Cape Town – An Oudtshoorn teacher accused of fraudulently representing the colour of his skin on his CV has been left to pick up the emotional pieces of his ordeal over which his livelihood was in jeopardy…

‘Alien waiter’ tweet raises concerns about xenophobic violence

Human Rights Watch has warned of possible xenophobic violence in SA, cautioning that campaigns such #PutSouthAfricansFirst, which openly campaigns against immigrants, could fuel violence in communities.

Labour market stakeholders urged to comment on gender-based violence draft code

The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) urges stakeholders in workplaces to make submissions on the Draft Code of Good on the Prevention and Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work before October 21…

Have you been fired for taking sick leave? Here’s what you can do

From an employer’s perspective it is a well-known concept that your employee’s health and how it affects his/her ability to work may have financial implications for both employer and employee…

Minister of Employment and Labour’s response to allegations of receiving money from Mr Sodi

I would like to state on record that I received absolutely no payment from Mr Edwin Sodi, contrary to recent statements in sections of the media…

STATS SA’S QUARTERLY LABOUR FORCE SURVEY RESULTS CONFUSING – ECONOMIC EXPERTS

Economic experts have criticised Stats SA’s decision to define the 2.2 million job losses during the second quarter as economically not active people…

Compensation Bill proposes swifter penalties for employers

Special inspectorate to be formed with wide powers…

Breaking News: Zondo guns for ministers

Zondo commission investigators believe controversial businessman Edwin Sodi paid senior ANC members and government officials a total of R34-million from 2013 to 2019 as his companies scored more than R2-billion in government tenders.

August/September Ters benefit applications open this week

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Covid-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) will open applications for the period August 16 to September 15 on Thursday…

One more labour centre closed due to Covid-19

The Department of Employment and Labour in the North West has recorded another COVID-19 case at the Lichtenburg Labour Centre. This has led to a temporary closure of the Centre to allow employees who have been in contact with the affected employee to self-isolate and for the necessary cleaning protocols for the office to be carried out as required.

Unions welcome compensation for domestic workers at last

Workers’ Compensation Act to get first overhaul in 23 years…

UIF TERS payments to resume

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is set to resume its Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefit payments on September 21…

Can South African workers be forced to return to the office even if they can work from home?

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the country’s lockdown will move to Alert Level 1 as of midnight on Sunday (20 September).

UIF to resume Covid-19 TERS benefit payouts next week

Pretoria – The Unemployment Insurance Fund’s (UIF) Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) payments intended to provide financial assistance to employees during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic lockdown will resume next week, the employment and labour department said on Saturday.

Why young people can’t find work in South Africa: minister

Government has identified a number of challenges that continue to contribute to the high unemployment rate amongst the youth in South Africa…

UIF disputes that it’s favouring Ters benefit claimants

Says claims for unemployment, maternity and illness benefits continue to be processed.

You have until October to comment on this draft code about violence and harassment at work

Back in August Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, published the Draft Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Violence and Harassment in the World of Work with a call for public participation…

Q&A: Who will pay if I get Covid-19 at work?

Proving you contracted the virus while performing your duties could be difficult.

UIF Covid-19 TERS extended until national state of disaster ends

JOHANNESBURG – The Minister of Employment and Labour has announced the extension of the Covid-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefits until the end of the national state of disaster…

Transformation will take 60 years at this rate: CEE

JOHANNESBURG – White and Indian South Africans are more likely to be appointed and given promotions, according to a new Commission for Employment Equality report.

South Africa’s major ‘transformation’ law is coming – these are the planned changes you should know about

The Department of Employment and Labour has introduced the Employment Equity Amendment Bill to the National Assembly, promising a shake-up of the country’s employment equity laws, says Bradley Workman-Davies, director at law firm Werksmans Attorneys.

COVID-19 TERS payments extended to 15 September

The Department of Employment and Labour on Monday announced that it will continue making the COVID-19 Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS) payments until 15 September 2020.

The UIF has failed the SA workforce

All readers of Independent Newspapers would have seen the various articles expressing shock and dismay as the unemployment insurance fund bosses were suspended.

Government concerned Covid-19 will hurt black-owned businesses

The government is concerned that the Covid-19 pandemic will reverse gains made over the 20 years in Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Nomalungelo Gina said yesterday (tue)…

Auditor-General:’It’s time to bring crooks to book’

Auditor-General (AG) Kimi Makwetu wants law enforcement agencies to go after people implicated in the looting of the Covid-19 funds after his team made damning findings.

Radical changes needed to ensure inclusion of women in agriculture

As we wrap up Women’s Month the playing field is still grossly biased, experts believe…

Coronavirus – South Africa: Employment and Labour inspectorate committed to enforce compliance amid the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic

The Department of Employment and Labour, together with the South African Police Service in Limpopo conducted a reactive joint night inspection at ZZ2 farm following the complaint about the employer disproving employees to go home with the objective to investigate whether the allegations were true…

Want a job at McCarthy cars? Only white people (preferably males) welcome to apply

On the morning of August 11, Julian Schlemmer, the founder of Schlemmer & Associates, a Durban-based recruitment agency, sent out an email to his three consultants…

CEO salaries vs average pay at South Africa’s top tech companies

The economic downturn in South Africa caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has resulted in higher unemployment, which, in turn, has caused increased inequality.

Don’t be penalised for Covid-19 non-compliance

A growing number of businesses are getting into hot water for not taking the necessary steps to minimise Covid-19 risk and exposure in their workplaces…

New workplace racial and sexual harassment rules proposed for South Africa

Labour minister Thulas Nxesi has published a draft code of good practice on the prevention and elimination of violence and harassment in the workplace in South Africa…

Women work ‘under vulnerable conditions and in low-paying jobs’, says Nkoana-Mashabane

Turning to the impact of Covid-19 on women, she said: As our country continues its response to Covid-19, the short- and longterm effects of this pandemic mostly affect the economic well-being of women.’

White men still hold top executive positions – Commission for Employment Equity

Dr Annelie Gildehuys reflects on the commission’s recent report on equality and transformation in the workplace…

African, Coloured groups lagging behind at top management levels

JOHANNESBURG – The White and Indian groups remain over-represented in the workplace.
That’s one of the findings in the latest annual report by the Commission for Employment Equity.

Additional obligations for designated employers under the Employment Equity Act

A recent bill submitted to Parliament for consideration would seek to impose potentially stringent new quotas for numerical targets for the employment of persons from designated groups…

Covid-19 could have an effect on labour law

Not only has the Covid-19 pandemic caused chaos in the personal lives of all persons but it has and still will bring major changes in employment law.

Shake-up for South African companies that are ‘not transforming fast enough’

Despite efforts to transform the labour market, an analysis of South Africa’s workforce shows ‘an apparent pervasive and persistent preference in the appointment, promotion and development of the White and Indian population groups’, says commission for Employment Equity (CEE) chairperson Tabea Kabinde…

A new law proposes detailed employment equity targets for SA – what you need to know

Last month, the new Employment Equity Amendment Bill was gazetted, which could pave the way for more specific affirmative action targets in SA workplaces.

Labour department warns against social media scammers

The fake website claims that workers who have worked between 1990 and 2020 have the right to get R35 000 from the department.

Labour inspectors locked in by employer and workers

The Department of Employment and Labour in the Western Cape has put a stop to operations at a local call centre after the company failed to satisfy labour inspectors during a reactive inspection at the work place…

One thing holding back transformation in South Africa

One thing holding back transformation in South Africa…

Race-based employment targets on its way

It will be interesting to see how businesses will react to some of the proposed amendments to the Employment Equity Act, which was to be tabled in the new parliamentary session before the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the parliamentary schedule…

Employment and Labour sees slight improvement in safety compliance while Compensation Fund records increased claims and CCMA works hard to limit retrenchments

There has been a slight improvement in compliance in the private sector while the government sector has recorded a slight decline, according to the Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) of the Department of Employment and Labour.

UIF Ters payments will be made once Labour Minister provides directives

The Department of Labour says a decision to release funds to millions of workers for the month of July as part of the Covid-19 Ters benefit payout will be announced when Minister Thulas Nxesi issues a directive on it…

Urgent need to promote women into managerial positions, says Ramaphosa

The president has asked for the private sector to come to the party in empowering women and promoting them to senior positions, while also calling for supporting women-owned businesses when buying goods and services…

Compensation for catching Covid-19 at work: new COIDA directive

The Department of Employment and Labour has issued revised guidelines on how to submit claims to the Compensation Fund for Covid-19 contracted in the workplace…

Forced Leave, Retrenchments And Dismissals – Lockdown Labour Questions Answered

By Aslam Patel (Adams & Adams)

UIF Ters benefits for April and May can still be claimed

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will continue to process new claims for benefits offered in terms of the Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) for April and May until a cut-off date is announced…

Employment equity bill gives labour minister far wider powers

Legal disputes are likely if the latest draft of the Employment Equity Amendment Bill is passed…

TERS: 8 key updates for employers

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) hosted a webinar on 30 July 2020 with UIF representatives to discuss the status of TERS. The following is a summary of key points discussed at the webinar. The information below is not yet confirmed by gazetted notices or media statements on the DEL website. If necessary, we will update the information below when these notices or statements are available.

EE amendments will inflict further economic pain – Solidarity

Yesterday, Solidarity’s Centre for Fair Labour Practices (CFLP) submitted the trade union’s comments on the Employment Equity Amendment Bill of 2018 and the Draft Regulations on Employment Equity of 2018. Solidarity argues that the proposed amendments are not only unconstitutional and immoral, but also extremely harmful to the shaky South African economy…

New bill empowers Labour Minister to speed up workplace transformation

Cape Town – Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi could soon be empowered to accelerate transformation at workplaces and also come down hard on non-compliance with employment equity legislation requirements.

Annual LEAVE worries: How will Covid-19 lockdown impact my December holiday?

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused havoc in the workplace. Thousands of businesses have had to adapt to new work environments, and the hard lockdown during level 5 raised many questions around leave and what benefits employees are entitled to…

10 Ways to Rebuild HR to Support Fast Growth and Happy Employees

For HR, one-size-fits-all no longer cuts it in the “new normal.”

The Unseen Worker

Every business has workers who keep things moving behind the scenes. From accountants to engineers, these folks work day in and day out to support the company.

Strike lingers as SA truckers demand freight industry rids itself of foreign drivers

Local truckers continue to agitate for the industry to not employ foreign nationals, raising fears of rising, social media-fuelled xenophobic sentiment.

South Africa is getting a new national employment policy – including rules around hiring foreigners

The Department of Employment and Labour says it is in the process of developing a new ‘national employment policy’ as it focuses on economic recovery post-Covid-19.

South Africa’s major new ‘transformation’ law is coming – what you need to know

South Africa’s major new ‘transformation’ law is coming – what you need to know.

Mandela Day: What the passing of three Mandelas has shown SA about transformation

Public reaction to the passing of each prominent member of the Mandela family has highlighted public sentiment on race-based economic redress policy in South Africa, as seen in contemporary public discussions about what each of the Mandelas stood for and the economic atmosphere at the time…

Employment and labour minister Thulas Nxesi contracts Covid-19

Employment and labour minister Thulas Nxesi tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday.

South Africans work the hardest – but are the LEAST happy suggests new research

We’ve all heard of work/life balance. But as the South African economy buckles under the pressure of the coronavirus pandemic, the pressure to provide for our families may be coming at the expense of our overall happiness…

Let us not forget our Labour Department amid the Covid-19 pandemic

As we have spent the past 100 days under lockdown and have been through the trauma of trying to get payments from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) for emergency funding, and as we move into the period of enormous retrenchments and UIF claims for retrenched employees, we tend to forget our Labour Department.

Employers may need to pay up for ignoring mental health issues of staff

CAPE TOWN – Employees may well experience depression, anxiety and stress during the Covid-19 lockdown and employers need to know that they might be ordered to pay up for ignoring mental health issues of their staff…

EMPATHY – Best speech of all time by Simon Sinek | Inspiritory

Must watch…

Dear ANC: ‘Fix 75% business failure rate: kill BEE, give title deeds’ – employers

As the SA economy was already in a recessive slump before Covid-19, the Covid-19 crisis creates an opportunity to fix an economic strategy that has failed to generate the growth necessary to create a better life for more than a minority…

The return of race law

In its concluding observations on the fourth to eighth periodic reports of South Africa the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination raised, as one of its concerns, the fact that ‘the classifications used to gather statistical data are from the former Apartheid era’.

Employees can be compensated for contracting Covid-19

Employees can be compensated for contracting Covid-19

Government reaches impasse with SAA pilots over retrenchment packages

On the eve of a crucial meeting with SAA creditors, the airline’s 617 pilots are vexed by the retrenchment packages they have been offered. Pilots believe the retrenchment packages are not commensurate with their technical skills, qualifications and years of experience at SAA…

Compensation Fund headed for ‘Covid storm’ likely to snap under pressure – DA

This dire situation is about to get exponentially worse as more and more claims come the way of the Compensation Fund…

Clampdown on Southern Cape businesses over Covid-19 non-compliance

Cape Town – The Department of Employment and Labour in the Western Cape is clamping down on businesses in the Southern Cape this week amid complaints of non-compliance.

80% of South Africans who contracted Covid-19 at work are women

Female workers represent more than 80% of all Covid-19 claims received by the Compensation Fund from employees who contracted the disease on the job, the department of employment and labour said in a statement…

Committee calls for speedy investigations into fraudulent UIF claims

The Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour has called on law enforcement agencies to speed up investigations into fraudulent claims paid out by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)…

Government looking at new laws to limit the employment of foreigners in South Africa

Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi says that government is looking at new regulations to limit the employment of foreign nationals in South Africa.

Heavy fine imposed on Durban company

No company should ever think it can operate in South Africa and not comply with the labour laws that have been designed to protect both workers and employers.

Chinks widening in UIF department’s armour

The administration of the UIF seems to be completely overwhelmed and Commissioner Teboho Maruping, who is working around the clock, does not seem to have the administrative support for the crisis. Despite warning the crisis was coming and the SA Revenue Services offering to step in, it is destined to get worse…

Fortune (500) telling – how America’s top CEOs see the future after Covid-19

With most companies in South Africa now permitted to operate under the Alert Level 3 of the lockdown, many of us are feeling less anxious, with a sense that life is returning to a new type of normal…

Suspects in court for stealing UIF money worth over R5 million

The Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi has welcomed the weekend arrests of several suspects who are accused of being part of the enterprise that scammed R5.7-million from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).

Parent fired over kids in background of Zoom call

Families across the country and the world have had to change their lives to suit a COVID-19 lifestyle that is unlike any we have lived before…

Small businesses could solve youth joblessness

Before we entered into the Covid-19 lockdown, youth unemployment in South Africa had been reported to have reached the disastrous figure of 52%.

EXPLAINER | No more cash for UIF Covid-19 Ters fund

The department of employment and labour has no alternative funding measures for companies and employees who require funding under level 3 lockdown.

Report shines spotlight on ‘extreme violations’ of nurses rights

Durban – The government’s under investment in public health care and profit-driven private hospitals has resulted in the exploitation of health-care workers and a health system that is ill-prepared for the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UIF will not pay out after June

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) said it will pay workers their relief Covid-19 Ters benefit until the end of June.

DA wants minister Thulas Nxesi to answer for the crisis at UIF

The DA has questioned the series of events that have unfolded at the Unemployment Insurance Fund – The UIF has made a series of erroneous payments to accounts of individual and DA MP Michael Cardo is questioning the spending of funds.

Defining an employee during lockdown era

Throughout the various stages of our lockdown and in particular the various efforts and claims that the government has tried to put in place to ensure that employees have some money over this period has made us think very carefully as to what an employee is.

Labour Dept urges workers to blow whistle on employers over Covid-19 compliance

This after inspectors closed several businesses in the southern Cape town of Knysna this past week…

Why businesses should get onboard with online conferencing

Previously, online conferencing has not been highly valued and often utilised as a last resort…

Things to consider for the protection of returning office workers

As more businesses reopen following South Africa entering Advanced Level 3 lockdown, management is tasked with ensuring the readiness of their office environment to ensure a safe return of staff. This is especially the case for those employees considered to be high risk. Nicol Myburgh, Head of the HCM Business Unit at CRS Technologies, examines how organisations should approach this…

DA says R5.7 million UIF fraud could be ‘tip of the iceberg’

The recently uncovered almost R6 million fraudulent transaction involving the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s (UIF) coronavirus (Covid-19) temporary employer/employees relief scheme (Ters) benefit may well be only the “tip of the iceberg”, and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) should widen its probe into fraudulent transactions involving the UIF Ters benefit, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Sunday.

Business should support “Buy Local” Campaign – COSATU

Outcomes of the COSATU National Leadership Meeting…

Employer claims workers’ UIF money, but then doesn’t pay them?

“We checked our UIF status online and it said we were supposed to get the money”

Asset Forfeiture Unit strikes after R5m Covid-19 relief money paid into wrong account

Accounts linked to the alleged money laundering of Covid-19 unemployment funds have been frozen by the Assets Forfeiture Unit.

Alternatives to dismissal in South Africa post Covid-19

The issue of when an employer should explore alternatives to retrenchment in consultation with their employees has been plaguing employers, trade unions, employees and South African courts for decades.

New lockdown rules for South African businesses and workers

Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi has gazetted a new directive outlining the occupational health and safety measures for the reopening of workplaces in South Africa.

Coronavirus – South Africa: Employment and Labour on payment of The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Coronavirus Covid-19 claims

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) continues making a difference to millions of lives with its payments of billions of rands not only to South African workers, but also to foreign national workers who have made this country their home and are part of its economy…

Employment equity rules still apply during Covid-19 crisis

There should be no unfair treatment and unfair discrimination in business policies and practices.

Covid-19: More than R275 million paid out to unemployed workers, including foreign nationals

UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping said that over 88 000 foreign nationals have received UIF payments, however, these payments might take longer because of ‘multi-layered processes to capture their information…

UIF claims now paid within 24 to 48 hours – Nxesi

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has vowed to ensure that outstanding payments are promptly processed, and to date, they have paid out R16.5 billion in Covid-19 temporary employee/employer relief scheme (Ters).

Covid-19 Policies

Ensure you comply, not only with the act, but to keep yourself and your employees Healthy when you open your business…

UIF PAID OUT R1BN IN COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS TO OVER 250K WORKERS – NXESI

The minister said the UIF was working around the clock to ensure that the outstanding payments were processed as soon as possible.

All the level 3 lockdown changes for South African workers this week

These are the biggest changes and what is required of both employers and employees…

Covid-19 outbreak places more responsibility on employers to safeguard employees

This period of our employment history shows us how important health and wellness in the workplace is…

Labour minister concerned with large number of non-compliant employers

Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi says labour inspectors have found low compliance with certain employers to safety measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus…

ATM seeks to prohibit foreigners from certain jobs

Johannesburg – The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has presented a post-Covid-19 economic recovery plan that, if adopted, would see South Africans claiming back all the sectors that are perceived to be unfairly dominated by foreigners.

Covid-19 lockdown: calls for staggered working hours to get economy going

Labour unions, taxi associations and organised business have called on the government to consider staggering working hours during level 3 of the lockdown to prevent congestion – and increased risk – at public transport depots.

Covid-19: Labour dept to have another look at Frere Hospital after forced closure

The Department of Employment and Labour is expected to visit Frere Hospital in East London to do a follow-up inspection after the hospital was shut down amid concerns that its measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 were inadequate.

‘Greedy’ bosses not paying out

Durban – THOUSANDS of employers were exploiting the plight of employees for their selfish gain, the Department of Employment and Labour said yesterday.

Covid-19 : Shut down Frere Hospital now, labour department insists

Labour department health and safety inspectors have ordered a total and immediate shutdown of East London’s Frere Hospital over concerns that its measures for stopping the spread of Covid-19 — including access control — are inadequate.

Employment and Labour on Gauteng being largest recipient of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Coronavirus COVID-19 Relief Benefits

As expected Gauteng had the highest number of beneficiaries who have been paid COVID-19 TERS benefits. Almost half of the more than R14-billion paid out so far, has been paid to 1 186 833 workers in the province via 79 271 employers.

WORKERS WILL NOW GET UIF MONIES PAID DIRECTLY INTO THEIR ACCOUNTS

The UIF said it is finalising the testing process of the COVID-19 online application system as it prepares for the new intake of the relief benefit scheme applicants.

UIF scrutinising suspicious relief claims

The Minister made the assurance during a virtual Employment and Labour Portfolio Committee meeting on Wednesday.

BHEKI NTSHALINTSHALI: Business must accept that ensuring workers’ safety is inviolable

If taxpayers’ money is going to be used to help businesses, those firms need to agree to a moratorium on retrenchments, writes Bheki Ntshalintshali.

Covid-19 highlights massive structural inequality – Bonang Mohale

Bidvest chairperson Bonang Mohale noted on Thursday that the coronavirus (Covid-19) has shown that there is indeed huge and deep structural inequality in South Africa.

Sector-specific laws needed to push BEE transformation in South Africa: portfolio committee

Parliament’s portfolio committee on Public Works and Infrastructure says that there is a need for legislation that will strengthen the transformation of the construction and built environment sectors of South Africa.

Reopening of Schools | Gauteng Education looking for unemployed youth to assist when schools reopen

The Gauteng Education department is looking to unemployed youth to assist with screening and compliance at schools. It’s running a programme to facilitate COVID-19 management, for the re-opening of schools on the 1st of June.

Workers’ mental health as vital as physical, economic welfare

In this uncommon time, mental illnesses such as anxiety and stress can be more prevalent and can be exacerbated by Covid-19, the writer says.

How to calculate the UIF-Ters for employees

Submitted correctly, UIF is paid out in 24 hours…

Can you be retrenched for testing positive for Covid-19?

Crucial questions have been answered by labour lawyer Lerato Kungoane on some of the sensitive issues regarding retrenchment for those testing positive…

Gauteng hospital takes action against striking staff who left patients stranded

Services at Sterkfontein hospital in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, have returned to normal following an illegal strike by staff members who left patients stranded on Tuesday.

SA’s DMRE publishes COVID-19 guidelines for mining industry

South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has issued guidelines for a mandatory Code of Practise to companies in the mining industry on managing the COVID-19 pandemic according to the terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act.

Coronavirus – South Africa: Employment and Labour Officials in Self-Isolation as Colleague Tests Positive for COVID-19 in Gauteng

An Occupational Health and Safety Inspector in Gauteng has tested positive for COVID-19.

COMMENTARY: When will emergency Covid-19 social grant reach poor families?

When Sassa does succeed in paying out the new grant, it will initiate a key pillar in SA’s efforts to reduce poverty during the lockdown.

Coronavirus – South Africa: Employment and Labour on 150 000 workers benefitting from Coronavirus Covid-19 Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Temporary Relief Scheme

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour today processed and paid COVID-19 TERS relief payments to the tune of R748 815 094.20 benefitting 149 263 workers represented by 9 362 employers.

NXESI: R13BN PAID OUT TO 2 MILLION WORKERS THROUGH UIF SINCE 16 APRIL

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is disbursing the relief after businesses were forced to shut their doors during the national lockdown.

SA’s DMRE publishes COVID-19 guidelines for mining industry

South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has issued guidelines for a mandatory Code of Practise to companies in the mining industry on managing the COVID-19 pandemic according to the terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act…

New coronavirus relief changes that every South African employee should know about

Minister of Employment and Labour, Thula Nxesi, has published a new directive which aims to make it easier for South African employees to receive financial support from the Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS).

Coronavirus – South Africa: Employment and Labour dismisses allegations of non-compliance with Coronavirus COVID-19 regulations in Kimberley office

The Department of Employment and Labour would like to dismiss the allegations of the PSA as baseless with regards to conditions of Kimberley office…

More than 50 businesses owned by undocumented foreign nationals shut down

MEC Dube-Ncube commended members of the public, who are supplying the department with information, that has led to this operation.

Tips for negotiating TERS payments

The Department of Employment and Labour has approved a temporary employer/employee relief scheme (TERS).

As Covid-19 cases rise, Western Cape works on economic revival plans

As South Africa prepares to move into lockdown Level 3, the Western Cape reached nearly 10,000 confirmed coronavirus cases on Sunday 17 May. But in the week ahead, the health focus will change to an economic one, especially with a focus to get business and other sectors running again, albeit differently.

Coronavirus – South Africa: Minister Thulas Nxesi urges more Employers to apply for Coronavirus COVID-19 Relief Benefits

The quest by the Minister of Employment and Labour to ensure that more vulnerable workers benefit from the COVID-19 TERS scheme is beginning to bear fruit with a number of domestic workers being paid directly.

UIF COVID-19 relief fund: Employees to get paid directly

JOHANNESBURG – The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) says employees will now be able to get paid directly.

New coronavirus rules for South Africans over 60, and other ‘high-risk’ employees

South Africa’s level 4 lockdown restrictions allow a number of industries to return to work, but also introduce a number of requirements that companies must put in place prior to the return of employees to the workplace.

R1.8 billion in UIF TERS funding disbursed in the Western Cape

CAPE TOWN – The Department of Employment and Labour, has disbursed R1.8 billion of the Unemployment Insurance Fund Temporary Employee Relief Scheme (UIF TERS) funds to 615 188 employees in the Western Cape as of May 10.

Western Cape ‘lost R1bn a day’ during level 5 of coronavirus lockdown

Cape Town – THE Western Cape economy bled R1billion for each day under level 5 of the lockdown and continues to lose revenue under current restrictions.

Communication channels beefed up at Department of Labour after public outcry

“Why is nobody responding? Is the Department of Labour ignoring us?” was one Tweet directed at the Department of Labour…

Tourism minister acknowledges R200m Tourism Relief Fund is not enough

Travel businesses have been massively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with some closing their doors for good.

Department of Labour to intensify workplace inspections

‘No wonder we still have so many workplace accidents’ – Inspector General, Aggy Moiloa.

Employers of domestic workers and farm labourers called upon to apply for UIF Covid-19 benefits

Employers of domestic workers and farm labourers called upon to apply for UIF Covid-19 benefits. Since the lockdown was announced, the Department of Employment and Labour, through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), has handed out almost R11-billion in benefits to workers through employers.

What does the law say about retrenchments during COVID-19 pandemic?

What does the law say about retrenchments during COVID-19 pandemic?

2 IN EVERY 5 INSPECTED WORKPLACES ‘NOT COMPLYING’ WITH SAFETY ACT

The department’s inspection and enforcement service conducted over 2,000 inspections between 30 April and last Friday.

EDITORIAL: Minister’s quota proposal for SA workers is misguided

Plans are afoot to introduce quotas for South Africans in certain sectors of the economy where foreign employees dominate…

‘Significant’ improvement to UIF relief scheme

Although several issues with the application and processing of the government-initiated Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) during the Covid-19 outbreak have been resolved, many challenges remain…

Here’s how a citizen can apply to have a national lockdown restriction amended

Level 4 lockdown has entered its second week and South African streets are buzzing a bit more, with more than 1,5 million people back at work.

CCMA faces a deluge of retrenchment applications

It is likely to be just the tip of the iceberg, says labour minister Thulas Nxesi…

Teacher unions upset over Motshekga’s ‘rush to announce school dates’

With Angie Motshekga expected to announce on Thursday when schools will officially reopen, five teacher unions are still at loggerheads with the Basic Education (DBE) minister…

Covid-19 workplace compliance is only 60%, says labour department

Clearly, the government and the wider public have concerns about the pandemic, and everyone needs to get used to new rules of economic engagement. Yet, one wonders if there is not an overzealousness on the part of inspectors.

New case deals with whether South African employers can retrench without a business rescue plan

As South Africa navigates the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, many employers are considering retrenchments, in order to preserve their longevity.

Now for something positive!

A MUST watch…

Consumer Watch: Haven’t registered your domestic for UIF yet?

A lack of education, poor communication and a frustrating administrative process are discouraging employers of domestic workers from registering their staff for the unemployment insurance fund…

Here’s how to monitor and manage employees with symptoms of Covid-19

With more workers returning to the workplace after the implementation of Level 4 lockdown, employers should take heed of the Department of Health Guidelines for symptom monitoring and management of essential workers for Covid-19 related infections…

New case deals with a South African who accidentally sent a racist image to their boss

With more South Africans at home during the coronavirus pandemic, there is a growing risk of people posting content lacking in sense or judgement on social media…

Schools must remain closed, DBE emphasises

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) warned against the premature re-opening of schools…

‘Pay workers immediately’, Labour minister warns companies withholding UIF benefits

Pretoria – Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi on Friday warned employers who have received Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Covid-19 temporary employer/employee relief scheme benefits from government but are not passing on the money to workers.

Senzo Mchunu: Back to work for public servants

Public servants must recognise their higher calling as more return to work during Level 4 of the lockdown, said Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu. He didn’t comment, however, on his department’s decision not to pay salary increases.

SAA retrenchment notices were unfair, court rules

In the absence of a business rescue plan, the issuing of Section 189 notices commencing a consultation process over proposed retrenchments at South African Airways was procedurally unfair, the Labour Court found on Friday…

South Africa to introduce new quotas around hiring foreign workers

The Department of Employment and Labour is looking to formalise a new employment policy which will restrict the number of foreign nationals working in specific sectors of the economy.

Important changes around South Africa’s coronavirus employee relief funding – what you need to know

The Department of Labour has published a new directive clarifying a number of issues around the Covid-19 Temporary Employee / Employer Relief Scheme (TERS)…

Some live-out domestic workers, childminders can resume work – lawyer

Some live-out domestic workers, childminders can resume work – lawyer

Lessons Behind Airbnb CEO’s Email About Laying Off 1,900 Workers

The number one rule for an organisation when in a crisis: Communicate the truth. The CEO of Airbnb should be an example for all of us regarding leadership and communication. The link between the two? Compassion…

South Africa to introduce new BEE changes to push transformation

The Department of Employment and Labour will amend and enact changes around South Africa’s employment equity regulations to address issues around equal opportunities and inclusion.

Occupational Health and Safety inspections

The Department of Employment and Labour is in the process of conducting Occupational Health and Safety inspections to see whether companies are ready to continue with work during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Government departments not ready to receive staff – PSA

Pretoria – The Public Servants Association (PSA) has voiced its concern that government departments were not ready for staff to return to work.

Shoprite Checkers employees who tested positive and spent two weeks in quarantine are turned away from work

8 May 2020

Cape Town merchandisers say they have been barred by a branch manager from returning to work before they have been retested for the virus.

Labour department to impose quotas for foreign nationals in some sectors

7 May 2020

Opposition MPs question whether it’s the appropriate time for government to be setting sectoral employment equity targets.

Jail employers withholding UIF Covid-19 money – Busa

Business Unity South Africa (Busa) and labour federation Cosatu have called for the imprisonment of executives whose companies have failed to disburse money from the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s coronavirus relief fund.

Motsoaledi threatens labour dept with court over closed Home Affairs offices

The department shut down two offices because they did not have a protective glass partition between staff and clients, but Motsoaledi says no office has partitions…

Reimagining the role of trade unions in a post-Covid-19 world

The fast-changing work environment, against the backdrop of the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis, requires that organised labour adopts an ‘adapt or die’ reality check. Agile unionism for the 21st century requires lean, streamlined systems that work with business in a mutually beneficial manner.

Health and safety in the spotlight as South Africa’s miners go back to work

7 May 2020

South Africa was put under strict social and economic lockdown on 26 March. By the end of April the government announced that it was easing some of the restrictions. This included allowing certain key sectors to begin operations once again. One of them was mining.

Employers urged to pay workers Covid-19 relief funds

7 May 2020

Cash-strapped employees have filed complaints with the department of labour against employers who failed to pay out money that was claimed from the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

Covid-19: Department of Labour not open for collection of social grants

5 May 2020

Minister Thulas Nxesi reiterated that labour centres are closed to the public during lockdown.

EMPLOYERS WHO DON’T COMPLY WITH SAFETY MEASURES RISK BEING SHUT DOWN

5 May 2020

The department expressed a lack of faith in employers’ willingness to comply with regulations, despite hefty sanctions in place to clamp down on noncompliance.

Bay protests over job cuts, unpaid leave and wages owed

5 May 2020

Snaking queues outside the department of labour and protests outside a number of Bay companies shone a sharp light on a metro increasingly affected by job cuts, slashed working hours and forced unpaid leave — as SA hit day 39 of national lockdown.

Many companies unclear on salaries relief package

5 May 2020

Agility is one of the keys to business success but unpacking the UIF wage supplements in the Covid-19 stimulated barrage of Government Gazettes and changing business landscapes has created new hurdles for businesses, and often inertia.

State concerned as jobless people flood centres to collect R350 grant

5 May 2020

Labour centres across the country have experienced large numbers of visitors as desperate citizens try to collect the R350 a month social grant earmarked for unemployed people…

#LockedDown: Workers rights on the Covid-19 May Day

5 May 2020

At the 5th national congress of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in 1994, President Nelson Mandela said, “The kind of democracy that we all seek to build demands that we deepen and broaden the rights of all citizens. This includes a culture of workers’ rights.” Mandela’s words signalled unequivocally the importance of workers for the sustainability of the project of democracy the country was embarking upon.

Claiming from the UIF during and after the lockdown

4 May 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has closed many businesses and left many in South Africa without an income.
The government have created two temporary lay-off options:

What to expect in the workplace

5 May 2020

The phased recovery of economic activity kicked off on Friday 1 May, with more businesses resuming operations on Monday 4 May, under specific conditions in line with level four lockdown regulations.

RMB CEO: Infrastructure spending now a ‘must do’ for South Africa

4 May 2020

JOHANNESBURG – James Formby, the chief executive of RMB, on Monday called for South Africa to urgently start mobilising the Infrastructure Fund to boost the moribund South African economy and said the country could “not afford to wait”…

Workers and the poor remain the most vulnerable in times of crises

4 May 2020

May 1 was declared International Workers’ Day in appreciation of the power of worker unity and worker solidarity and to affirm the rights of workers to have decent conditions of service and wages. The Second International, held in Paris in 1889, extended a decision by the Federation of Organised Trades and Labour Unions in the United States and Canada recognising an 8-hour workday as of May 1, 1886, following a very effective, but costly, general strike by more than 300 000 workers in over 13 000 workplaces in the USA.

Labour minister promises action against non-compliant employers

4 May 2020

JOHANNESBURG – Labour inspectors say a risk assessment must be done at vulnerable workplaces and if social distancing can’t be implemented, alternative plans must be made…

Coronavirus – South Africa: Minister Thulas Nxesi appeals to employers to hand over Coronavirus COVID-19 relief funds to workers

4 May 2020

The Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi, calls on employers to ensure that the money that has been paid over by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) for the COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) disbursed to the workers.

Important Legal Info For Businesses Opening This Week

4 May 2020

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s risk-adjusted strategy to ease the current lockdown restrictions made sense, and we all looked forward to some industries reopening, as well as the reclassification of ‘essential goods’.

Domestic workers pay high price for employers’ noncompliance

4 May 2020

According to government’s Covid-19 Risk-Adjusted Strategy, ‘private household employment’ will only resume at Level 2.

New Covid-19 rules: What your workplace needs to look like

4 May 2020

With some 1.5 million South Africans returning to work this week, businesses are required to comply with strict new health and safety regulations to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus…

SA’S unemployment rate could reach 40% due to Covid-19

4 May 2020

Some businesses have already shut their doors due to a month-long lockdown, which restricted economic activity across the country as the government tried to mitigate the spread of COVID-19…

URGENT ADVISORY TO ALL CCMA STAFF, USERS AND STAKEHOLDERS

May 2020

As you are aware, the whole world is confronted by the COVID – 19 pandemic, which has seen many countries
across the world, including South Africa, implementing national lockdowns, in a bid to contain the virus. As you will
recall, South Africa’s lockdown was effected on 26 March 2020. In response, the Commission for Conciliation,
Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) issued a directive implementing measures to contribute towards national and
international efforts to contain COVID – 19 and minimise its further spread, as guided by the National Institute for
Communicable Diseases (NICD), the Department of Health (DEH), and Department of Public Service and
Administration (DPSA), amongst others. Consideration of actions taken by the High Court, Labour Court and the
Labour Appeal Court were also taken into account.

Employment and Labour provides UIF contact details for ordinary unemployment benefits

May 2020

In order for our client-base to receive speedy and correct information to their unemployment insurance enquiries, the Department of Employment and Labour has resorted to providing contact details which they can call or send their enquiries.

Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi: Every employer must do the following under Level 4 lockdown

3 May 2020

Johannesburg – Businesses must have a clear plan on how they will protect the health and safety of everyone in their workplace, Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi said on Sunday…

State to pay further R2.4bn in coronavirus benefits for 29 000 employees

3 May 2020

Several issues preventing foreign nationals, who are documented and are legally employed in South Africa, from receiving Covid-19 benefits are being addressed and some of these employees will be paid this week, according to the department of employment and labour.

Labour minister lays down the ‘direction’ for getting back to work

3 May 2020

Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi had a briefing on Sunday, 3 May to brief South Africa on lockdown level 4 ‘back-to-work readiness’ as over a million people are expected to return to work this week. For employers, there were enough threats and finger-wagging to set a fire pool alight.

Labour department urged to be vigilant to prevent fraudulent UIF claims

2 May 2020

Cape Town – Parliament’s employment and labour portfolio committee has urged the Department of Employment and Labour to deal with employers seeking to exploit the Unemployed Insurance Fund (UIF) system by submitting fraudulent claims.

For paraplegics, the pandemic has made work from home viable

2 May 2020

Durban – Paraplegics and quadriplegics must embrace the changes the coronavirus pandemic has brought about, said Ari Seirlis, who serves on the presidential working group on disability and is former chief executive of the QuadPara Association of SA…

Need to travel between provinces to get back to work? You’ve got until Thursday.

1 May 2020

The government has allowed once-off inter-provincial movement for people who could not travel during level 5 lockdown.

A breakdown of the new coronavirus requirements for South African businesses

1 May 2020

The Department of Employment and Labour (DoL) has issued a new directive which gives some much-needed guidance on what measures an employer would need to take to provide its employees with safety measures to protect against the risk of Covid-19 exposure…

Motshekga says it will take weeks to prepare schools, while Nzimande’s campuses to stay inactive

30 April 2020

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – 6 January 2011: Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga chats with Dr. Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training before announcing the annual matric results at the Union Buildings on 6 January 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa. The class of 2010 pass rate was 67,8 percent, up from 60,7 percent in 2009. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Craig Nieuwenhuizen)…

Firms urged to apply for worker relief as lockdown easing looms

30 April 2020

Arms of the state are gearing up for the eased reopening of the economy – with a downgrade of the national lockdown expected to result in nearly 1.5 million South Africans returning to work…

Guidelines on staffing matters during COVID-19

30 April 2020

I am writing to inform you of the guidelines that have been developed with regard to specific staffing-related matters at the University of Cape Town (UCT) during the COVID-19 pandemic…

Covid-19 grant: We can learn from Namibia

29 April 2020

Introducing the new “Covid-19 grant” announced by President Cyril Ramphosa will pose a huge challenge. But South Africa can learn from Namibia, which introduced an emergency grant at the beginning of April and within three weeks had paid out nearly 580,000 people…

Leaders needed to ‘step into this chaos’

29 April 2020

Throughout history, crises have called for particular types of leaders, attributes and actions – and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Leadership is certainly needed during this time as we approach life in the ‘new normal’.

UIF tweaks online platform to be more informative

29 April 2020

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has tweaked its systems to ensure that more pertinent information is available on its online platform…

Domestic workers hung out to dry during lockdown

29 April 2020

Sector is the most vulnerable as few employees are registered under UIF and cannot access relief funds…

Solidarity threatens court action if Department of small business uses race for Covid-19 relief

29 April 2020

DURBAN – Trade union Solidarity said on Wednesday it would urgently seek court action if the department of small business development used race for access to emergency Covid-19 relief funds, as the tourism department was doing…

Covid-19: Increase in social grants not good enough, say critics

29 April 2020

Activists and academics say government’s grant increases are a “way of appearing generous while actually reducing the disaster relief budget”

Time to consider TES?

29 April 2020

The temporary employment services (TES) model keeps the construction engineering industry alive, providing manpower when required and relocating staff to other projects when demand for their skills decline…

Coping with less – concerns over month-end salary

28 April 2020

For many South Africans, the figure for their April salary is a major concern. There are a number of concerns about the UIF processes as well as concern over whether or not paying certain debts will result in a negative for their record…

MUST READ: Nxesi urges employers to assist employees in accessing Covid-19 relief funds

28 April 2020

Minister Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane says that to date, the UIF has received just over 103,000 applications from employers…

How companies can prevent the spread of Covid-19 after lockdown

28 April 2020

As South Africa eases its way back into a more active economy after 35 days in Level Five lockdown, employers are under pressure to adhere to strict Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations in the workplace.

Labour minister clears confusion about Covid-19 relief benefits

28 April 2020

Thulas Nxesi calls on employers to be honest about their workforce and help with applications to Ters, which scheme is administered by the UIF…

Ters relief directives cause confusion

28 April 2020

The Department of Employment and Labour has issued several directives in terms of the temporary relief scheme offered to employers and employees affected by the national lockdown necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic…

Public servants threaten legal action against Limpopo justice department for not providing PPE

28 April 2020

Public servants threaten legal action against Limpopo justice department for not providing PPE…

South African workers are missing out on over a billion rand in Covid-19 relief funds

27 April 2020

The Department of Employment and Labour says it continues to ease the burden of the financial strain attached to the current lockdown in South Africa through relief benefits to qualifying workers…

Employment and Labour eases lockdown burden with timely relief payments

26 April 2020

The Department of Employment and Labour is continuing to ease the burden, not only of the lockdown but the financial strain attached to it through timely disbursements of relief benefits to qualifying workers.

Covid-19 relief: Sars could assist if UIF systems take strain

23 April 2020

Cape Town – Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi on Tuesday confirmed that discussions were under way with the South African Revenue Service (Sars) about the prospect of using the country’s tax infrastructure to support the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) to implement the Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (Ters).

Gaps in Covid-19 relief scheme leave some workers with no income

22 April 2020

An economic crisis is beginning to bite in South Africa, resulting from the decision to shut down a large chunk of the economy in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. South Africa locked down its economy for three weeks in March, but later extended this for another two weeks.

Some employers over-claiming coronavirus UIF, says labour minister

22 April 2020

Labour and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi told MPs on Wednesday that the Unemployment Insurance Fund had found instances where employers attempted to over-claim from its Covid-19 special cover, but that employees should not be made to suffer as a result during tough economic times.

South Africa: Retrenchment And Employment Related Claims Post #Lockdownsa – Prepare Your Business

23 April 2020

Employers, from large corporations to small to medium entrepreneurs and businesses have had no alternative but to implement short time work, reduce salaries, place Employees on unpaid leave as a no work no pay circumstance during the lockdown, or regrettably have had to resort to retrenchment of their Employees as a direct result of the COVID-19 nationwide lockdown, the consequences of which has led to Employers being unable to sustain overheads and salaries…

How to manage a stubborn, defensive, or defiant employee

Some of the hardest employees to manage are people who are consistently oppositional.

Labour inspectors get to work after PPE is finally secured in the Northern Cape

22 April 2020

Cape Town – Inspectors from the Department of Labour have started conducting occupational safety and health inspections in the Northern Cape this week.

All you need to know about R500bn Covid-19 support package

21 April 2020

Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced an extraordinary R500 billion support package to stimulate the economy and protect millions of South Africans from hunger and social distress during the Covid-19 pandemic.

DA welcomes UIF’s approach to SARS over Covid-19 Ters benefit

21 April 2020

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the announcement by the Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi, that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will help the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) to process and pay the Covid-19 Ters benefit…

Fruit worker may have contracted Covid-19 after attending Khayelitsha funeral

22 April 2020

Cape Town – A Ceres Fruit Growers (CFG) employee may have contracted Covid-19 after recently attending a funeral in Khayelitsha.

Economy and employment: Where to now SA? Part II

21 April 2020

With no normal to return to, here’s what the country can do next…

Economy and employment: Where to now SA? Part I

8 April 2020

The pandemic means things will never be the same again. There is no normal to return to.

How SA companies are failing their employees during Covid 19

21 April 2020

South Africa’s labour market is notorious for unsafe workplace practices, which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic…

Coronavirus – South Africa: Employment and Labour pays out Coronavirus COVID-19 benefits to workers

21 April 2020

The Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi has called on employers who are registered with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) to apply for the Covid-19 benefits through the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme on behalf of their employees…

Important change to South Africa’s coronavirus relief funding and annual leave

20 April 2020

The Department of Employment and Labour has announced an amendment to the Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS) scheme that will be of great importance to any employer which has required employees to take compulsory annual leave during the national lockdown, says law firm Werksmans Attorneys…

Labour Department pays out R1.1 billion Covid-19 benefits to workers

20 April 2020

CAPE TOWN – The Department of Employment and Labour announced on Monday that it had paid a cumulative R1.1 billion to beneficiaries of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), from April 16 to date…

LETTER: There is a ray of light at the UIF

20 April 2020

With all the doom and gloom about Covid-19 and the various well-deserved attacks on the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), it should be remembered that other sections within the department of employment & labour are in fact starting to perform, and have performed throughout this process…

Popular Time-Blocking or Time-Management Techniques You Can Use While Working Remotely

April 2020

Just because you are working from home does not mean you should get less done.

Covid-19: Unpacking the SMME funding procedure and UIF relief benefit

17 April 2020

A government-imposed lockdown can be seen as a force majeure in which an employer is able to implement a no-work-no-pay principle. Nonetheless, employers have been encouraged to pay employees, and government has announced various mechanisms by which employers can seek relief from the impact of Covid-19 so as to pay their employees…

OPINION: Why the alcohol ban is hard to swallow

17 April 2020

Regardless of personal feelings about the evils or otherwise of liquor and cigarettes, the case for lifting the current ban on legal access is very simple: either the financially hard-pressed state earns the sin tax revenues or the criminals, including organised crime networks, make a great deal of money out of inflated prices…

UIF boss Teboho Maruping: We alone cannot save workers, or jobs

17 April 2020

The Unemployment Insurance Fund has set aside R40bn from its accumulated reserves to provide income relief to workers during the Covid-19 lockdown. The volume of UIF claims is starting to increase, signalling the start of SA’s jobs bloodbath…

Unions open case against Hilton College for ‘flouting lockdown laws’ after workers found planting trees

16 April 2020

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in KwaZulu-Natal have opened a case against Hilton College for alleged contravention of the lockdown regulations.

Workers not registered for UIF relief to be hit hard financially during Covid-19

15 April 2020

Johannesburg – Workers are going to be hard hit financially by the Covid-19 outbreak because employers have not registered them for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)…

UIF-Covid-19 TERS National Disaster Application System – An easy process!

April 2020

You sign everything online and it is truly an easy process to complete…

Covid-19 Financial Assistance

April 2020

Click on the Read more button to access a presentation from Charles Kinnear:

EXPLAINER: Domestic workers’ rights during the lockdown

April 2020

JOHANNESBURG – Many South African householders are continuing to pay domestic workers during the lockdown, even though they are not working.

Covid-19 could deal a ‘sucker punch’ to South Africa’s mines, economy

15 April 2020

With the Covid-19 lockdown in full effect until the end of April, South Africa’s mines have scaled down operations on a massive scale.

Covid-19 and the effect on wound care

April 2020

Click on the Read more button to download the presentation from Zhavandre van der Merwe:

How to Manage During A Crisis: Sort Everything Into “Now, Next, or Later”

14 April 2020

Focus on what’s needed today, rather than obsessing over what you can’t predict tomorrow.

Employers have free access to qualified labour lawyers via a hotline set up by labour law consultancy Strata-G.

14 April 2020

It is a difficult time for businesses in South Africa, many of whom are facing a catastrophic loss of revenue as a result of the current Covid-19 crisis…

Confusion surrounds Covid-19 temporary employee relief scheme

13 April 2020

CAPE TOWN – There is a great deal of confusion around the new Covid-19 temporary employee relief scheme (C19 TERS) and who can apply for the benefit.
This was the view of Fiona Leppan, a director at the employment practice at legal firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr this week…

Do employers have to pay workers during lockdown? What South Africa’s law says and how to fix it

10 April 2020

The current Covid-19 crisis has caused a number of employees to stop rendering services as the lockdown means that they cannot come into work or work from home…

Employers cannot force workers to take annual leave during lockdown – Labour minister

March 2020

Employers cannot force workers to take annual leave during lockdown – Labour minister

Covid-19 Policy

April 2020

Click on Read more to open the link to a Covid-19 Policy template. 

Covid-19 employment issues

April 2020

Click on Read more to open the link for more information.

Temporary UIF processes announced to limit unnecessary travel and physical contact during lockdown period

9 April 2020

The Department of Employment and Labour has announced the relaxation of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) processes, in an attempt to minimise contact amidst the coronavirus outbreak. 

Many employers shifting economic burden of Covid-19 crisis onto workers – report

9 April 2020

One of the key findings from a rapid response research report produced by the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Centre for Social Change and the Casual Workers Advice Office (CWAO) is that of the companies that have ceased operations, only a few have applied to the C19 TERS fund. 

Labour shuts down Mossel Bay Supermarket for defying prohibition notice

8 April 2020

The Department of Employment and Labour in the Western Cape acted on a tip-off on Tuesday that an employer in Mossel Bay had intentionally defied his prohibition notice…

A cushion for workforce during time of Covid-19

8 April 2020

The 21-day lockdown which began on March 26 is set to end on April 16, but we have no ways of knowing whether it will be extended…

UIF to process Covid-19 Ters benefit to assist employers and employees during lockdown

8 April 2020

The Minister of Employment and Labour Thulasi Nxesi has recently announced measures that the department will put in place under the current special circumstance relating to the coronavirus (Covid-19) and its impact on Unemployment Insurance Fund contributors.

Covid-19: What are your rights as an employee?

7 April 2020

With the implementation of the national lockdown by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 26 March 2020 there has been understandable confusion. While some employees have been told that continuing to work is unlawful, others are legally obliged to continue working. How do you know which category you fall into, and what are your rights in each case?

Workers’ salaries slashed

April 2020

That’s the reality many South Africans are facing throughout the country, and company after company is slashing salaries from executive level down to workers. Hefty cuts announced over the last few days include ArcelorMittal, Woolworths, Pam Golding and Independent Media.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Introducing the Employment Equity Amendment Bill and Employment Equity Amendment Regulations 2018

March 2020

Summary of the Employment Equity Act number 55 Of 1998, Amendment Act and Regulations, 2014

President Cyril Ramaphosa: Measures to combat Covid-19

March 2020

South Africa: Measures to combat Covid-19

Covid-19 temporary employee/employer relief scheme, 2020

March 2020

Directive by the Minister of Employment and Labour

UIF reduced working hours

March 2020

The Department of Employment and Labour would gladly assist your organisation with the process for applying for benefits.

National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry

March 2020

Extension to non-parties of the Covid-19 lockdown collective agreement.

Corona Virus Script

March 2020

Click on the Read more link below to access the script.

‘Employers can’t force employees to take unpaid leave during lockdown’

26 March 2020

South Africans will from Thursday go through a 21-day national lockdown in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus and flatten the curve.

Coronavirus: Employee relief scheme will help cushion the blow for businesses

23 March 2020 by Zintle Mahlati

Johannesburg – President Cyril Ramaphosa has moved to calm fears about the economic impact of the pending national lockdown saying those whose livelihoods will be impacted by the lockdown will be assisted through a series of measures including the use of a temporary Employee Relief Scheme.

Covid-19: New UIF provisions may help workers

23 March 2020 by Steve Kretzmann

But labour lawyer has his doubts and the Fund is “inundated with enquiries from businesses”

Coronavirus: As an employee, what are your rights?

23 March 2020 by Zelda Venter

Pretoria – Self-isolating, being placed in quarantine and working from home have become a reality since the outbreak of the coronavirus. But what are your rights?
Many worry whether they will get paid during this time and are not sure what their rights are.

South Africa working on new sick leave rules for coronavirus

20 March 2020

Government is working on a number of labour interventions to curb the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on South African workers.

CCMA closes doors to Covid-19

19 Mar 2020
Sarah Smit

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has closed its doors amid fears about the novel coronavirus outbreak.

South Africa’s government says these jobs are most at risk of coronavirus exposure

18 March 2020

The Department of Employment and Labour has published a new guideline for dealing with the coronavirus in South African workplaces, outlining the strategies that businesses should follow to minimise their employees’ risk of exposure.

Labour department unveils guidelines for managing Covid-19 at workplaces

17th March 2020 BY: TASNEEM BULBULIA

The Department of Employment and Labour has appealed to employers to use the prescriptions of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act in governing workplaces in relation to the Covid-19 virus.

#CoronavirusSA: What does the virus mean for employed people?

16th March 2020 | Nelisiwe Msomi and Pontsho Pilane

The rights of workers need to be a priority, as South Africa puts measures in place to stop the spread of Covid-19, says labour law expert.

Cannabis policies in the workplace – some re-thinking required?

16 March 2020

The 2018 landmark ruling from the Constitutional Court decriminalising the use of cannabis (dagga) for private usage has opened up some tricky issues for employers and employees. Following on from the September 2018 judgement, Parliament was given two years to pass further legislation to regulate the matter. In the interim, however, it is very likely that many companies may have to reconsider their policies that deal with substance abuse.

5 WhatsApp messages that can get you fired in South Africa

Technology has not only enabled remote work but also introduced new forms of sexual harassment, with South African companies increasingly dealing with inappropriate messages sent between employees…