Every cloud has a silver lining. This expression implies that there is some good in every troubled circumstance. Yet it is often difficult to find that silver lining in terms of benefits gained or lessons learned. However, in the present shambles that is the Post Office many workers and trade unions seem to have learned a valuable lesson: nationalisation — state control — does not necessarily mean any improvement.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 16 February 2015
The annual Investing in African Mining Indaba is once again under way at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. It is a rather depressed affair this year, with an unresolved regulatory regime, looming labour disputes and an energy crisis that makes investing in South Africa look a lot less interesting than in other countries in Africa.
Melissa Fourie
Opinion | 12 February 2015
The latest casualty in the claimed “transformative restructuring” of Independent Newspapers is Bongani Fani, who has delivered Cape Times and Argus titles from Lakeside to Kalk Bay for more than 20 years. A resident of Masiphumelele and father of four, Mr Fani received a “Termination of subscription delivery contract” letter from “PG Rhoda, Circulation and Distribution Manager” last month.
Terry Bell
News | 8 February 2015
MyCiTi bus drivers say they will not go back to work until the South African Transport and Allied Workers' Union (SATAWU) is recognised by Transpeninsula Investments (TPI). The strike that started yesterday continued today, with a picket outside TPI's depot.
Kevin Elliott
News | 5 February 2015
With only hours to go before the cut-off time, farm workers union Csaawu (Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union) has raised the target amount of R115,000 in its first phase of online crowd funding. The money will go towards paying for legal costs incurred for defending dismissed farm workers in the Cape Town Labour Court last year.
GroundUp Staff
Brief | 2 February 2015
The Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association (Wieta), which lists some of the country's top producers, appears to have recanted on its promise to investigate allegations of assault on a farm worker by one of its members. A board member says the organisation has double standards - quick to help its farm owning members, while sweeping aside complaints of abuse from workers.
Daneel Knoetze
News | 30 January 2015
Hundreds of unemployed Kimberley residents have turned to digging deserted mine dumps to earn a living.
Douglas Mthukwane
News | 27 January 2015
Three Zimbabwean men whose permits are pending have been told to leave their jobs at Touareg Tents in Capricorn Business Park and return only when they can prove they are legally in the country.
Tariro Washinyira
News | 27 January 2015
Labour and education rights groups have called for the immediate scrapping of the youth wage subsidy following the release of UCT research on its effectiveness.
Barbara Maregele
News | 22 January 2015
A year ago, some boys in my street came home late at night with a sex worker. They refused to pay her.
Abigail McDougall
Opinion | 22 January 2015
It’s midday and in 29 degree heat Sannicare contract workers Prudence Brink, Carmelita Johnson and Francious Beukes are having lunch, sitting on empty portable toilets in front of the depot at Airport Industria where thousands of toilets are cleaned daily.
Text by Zintle Swana. Photos by Masixole Feni.
Feature | 21 January 2015
The City of Cape Town will not be renewing the contracts of janitors employed to clean flush toilets in some informal settlements in the city.
Barbara Maragele
News | 19 January 2015
Hope Street’s pavement carpenter Mark Philander again had his material confiscated by officers from the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement this morning. Now, a local councillor has committed to linking Philander to the City’s informal traders unit in an attempt to find a public space for him to work legally and unhindered.
Daneel Knoetze
News | 13 January 2015
The eleven workers who were dismissed from Steytler Boerdery outside Robertson for taking part in strikes in January 2013 have reached a settlement with their employer and have been reinstated.
Daneel Knoetze
News | 9 January 2015
The minimum wage for farm workers is due to increase at the end of February. But seasonal worker Mercia Plaatjies doesn’t expect the increase to make much difference to her life.
Daneel Knoetze
News | 8 January 2015
Instead of focusing on percentage increases, wage negotiations should be based on a clear definition of a living wage, write Trenton Elsley and George Mthethwa.
Trenton Elsley and George Mthethwa
Opinion | 6 January 2015