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IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Is FlySafair's ‘fair' shift proposal for real? Put it in writing, Solidarity demands, as talks resume
FlySafair continues to operate a reduced schedule as the strike drags on. Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Media Negotiations between FlySafair and Solidarity, the union representing its striking pilots, were set to resume on Wednesday afternoon, with the airline's controversial shift scheduling system still leading the agenda. There appears to be a level of miscommunication between the parties following FlySafair's latest statement to the media, issued on Wednesday morning. The low-cost carrier said its pilots were indeed guaranteed rest weekends in the new shift schedule, and that pilots had access to the schedule. However, in a statement released later on Wednesday, Solidarity said this was 'new information' that had never been mentioned during the previous negotiations. The union's deputy general secretary, Helgard Cronjé, said there was no valid reason why FlySafair should not agree in writing to the pilots' demands regarding the shift schedule. 'The request for a three-day weekend in a five-week cycle cannot be accommodated by their system's algorithm, according to FlySafair. Such a shift schedule was among our conditions that were rejected. Yet some of our proposals are already being accommodated and used in the very system,' Cronjé said. 'Our request is simply this: put the agreement in writing so that the pilots can hold the company to it'. He claimed that FlySafair was refusing to put these provisions in writing, describing them as 'soft' rules that the company could change as it sees fit. ALSO READ: 'Is it too much to request a single weekend with our family?': Flysafair pilots issue open letter amid strike FlySafair said its most recent settlement proposal, which was rejected by the union, was designed to empower the pilot body to shape its own roster rules through an independently chaired committee. Solidarity stated that it is accepted practice in South African labour law for an employee's terms of employment, including working hours, to be stipulated in an employment contract. 'It's simple. Take these rules that are already being implemented and let's put them in an agreement so that pilots can enjoy the same protection as other employees,' Cronjé added. 'Instead, the company's conditions on which they were prepared to give the pilots a vote on a committee were that the pilots would first have to give up their right to strike on the issue. Furthermore, the committee will also have no powers to enforce recommendations'. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Solidarity believes that pilots would be signing away their only constitutional right, while the company retains its full powers to implement decisions. 'The company's argument is that we are seeking operational control (on behalf of the pilots). An agreement in which they have a say on shifts protects a basic right and is certainly not a takeover of operational control,' Cronjé explained. 'It rather serves as protection for an employee so that an employer's powers are limited to its business interests and so that it does not control the employee's life'. In its statement released on Wednesday, FlySafair said it was committed to reaching an outcome that protects the long-term health of the business and supports the well-being of all its employees. The pilot strike is now in its second week, with no resolution in sight. Over the weekend, Solidarity said FlySafair's offer of a 5.7% pay increase was largely acceptable, but the rostering system remained a point of contention. An open letter from the pilots, issued on Tuesday - read the full statement here - raised concerns over safety, fatigue, and a culture of intimidation at the airline. Pilots have been asking for fairer working conditions and at least one guaranteed weekend off per month. 'Let us be clear: this strike is not about greed. It is about dignity. It is about safety. It is about fairness. It is about being heard,' the letter declared. Although FlySafair claims its pilots average 63 flight hours per month, Solidarity countered that many line pilots fly 85 to over 100 hours monthly. Amid the strike, FlySafair said it continues to operate a 'stable but reduced' flight schedule, with more pilots returning to duty each day. IOL Business
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
The strike was never our destination
FlySafair assures customers that amidst pilot strikes, the airline is managing disruptions effectively. Image: Henk Kruger/ Independent Media Today, we write to you not from the flight deck, but from a place of deep frustration, disappointment, and genuine concern for our passengers, our profession, and the future of South African aviation. After years of remaining silent, trusting promises of stability, fairness, and recognition, we find ourselves amid the longest pilot strike in South African history. This is not a distinction we sought – it is merely a measure of how far things have deteriorated. The particular airline's pilots have exhausted every avenue of negotiation. Pilots are now standing together because we cannot allow silence to signal acceptance any longer. Initially, the airline's pilots intended to strike one day to signal their dissatisfaction, express our disappointment, and demonstrate the seriousness of their concerns. But instead of being met with a willingness to engage, we were met with a lockout. We were forced out, not just physically but symbolically – pushed into a corner, with no choice but to take a stand. What was meant to be a measured act of protest became a long and painful standoff, not by their design, but by the company's decision to escalate. What this is really about Let us be clear: this strike is not about greed. It is about dignity. It is about safety. It is about fairness. It is about being heard. This year alone, 37 highly trained, experienced pilots have resigned – not in search of luxury, but in search of stability and respect. These are professionals who have sacrificed years of their lives and small fortunes in training, only to find themselves working under conditions that disregard their well-being. Their core concern stems from the forced implementation of a new, algorithm-driven rostering system. While the technology promised efficiency, the reality has been brutal: Minimal rest, erratic schedules, and zero regard for basic human needs. The pilots asked for one weekend off a month. The response? 'The algorithm doesn't like rules.' This is the kind of cold logic we are up against. But aviation is not a factory. Pilots are not products of a shift system. We are human beings responsible for hundreds of lives at a time. Predictability, rest, and mental well-being are not luxuries – they are necessities. And they are being stripped away. The bigger picture: A culture of silence and disregard This strike also shines a light on a deeper problem – a growing culture of silence and fear. Concerns about fatigue, safety, and attrition are routinely dismissed or met with intimidation. It seems that we are spoken to, not with. We are being treated as liabilities instead of professionals dedicated to the craft of aviation. This cannot continue. The truth behind the headlines Recent public statements have painted an inaccurate picture. Some claim that pilots earn R1.8 to R2.4 million per year. The truth is: those figures only apply to a small number of senior captains. Most pilots earn significantly less, and at this airline, salaries have not returned to pre-COVID levels, despite promises made during the crisis. Average flight hours are also being misrepresented. While reports quote 63 hours per month, many line pilots fly 85 to over 100 hours monthly. And that doesn't include ground duty time, standby periods, or training, often exceeding 180 hours of total duty per month, with 200 being the absolute legal maximum. We are aware of the fact that FlySafair has obtained a legal dispensation to fly pilots up to 120 hours per month. We believe this is unacceptable in a safety-critical industry, and we have raised these concerns repeatedly only to be ignored. We know pilots are denied leave because there are not enough crew. We are rostered for back-to-back duties that disrupt sleep cycles and family time. And we are burning out. What we sacrifice – and what we ask We accepted hardship during COVID. We accepted pay cuts. We waited, believing that once the airline recovered, our sacrifices would be recognised. The airline did recover. FlySafair has become one of South Africa's most successful carriers, flying up to 190 flights a day, with high load factors and strong market share. As pilots, we can be proud to have played a part in that success. But our working conditions have not improved. Salaries remain 10% below pre-COVID levels. We still fly without loss-of-license cover, proper disability protection and basic scheduling fairness. Therefore, we ask:- Is it too much to request a single weekend a month with our families?- Is it too much to ask for a say in the systems that determine how we live our lives?- Is it unreasonable to expect that our pay reflects our work and responsibilities?- Is it not in the public's interest to ensure their pilots are well-rested and motivated? We understand the times we're in Pilots are acutely aware of the broader economic struggles facing South Africa. We know many families are hurting. We know jobs are scarce, and inflation is hitting hard. This is not a strike taken lightly or without empathy. We are South Africans too. We pay the same prices, worry about the same future, and want this country to thrive. But in hard times, fair treatment and responsible employment practices matter even more. Ensuring pilots are supported and well-rested isn't just about us – it's about everyone who boards a plane and expects to be flown safely to their destination. To the public: Our apology and our hope To those whose travel plans have been disrupted, we sincerely apologise. This is not something we ever wanted. But we cannot protect you in the air if we are not protected on the ground. This is about the sustainability of the profession, the well-being of those flying your aircraft, and the future of aviation in South Africa. The airline's pilots are not asking for the sun and the moon. We are asking for:- a predictable and humane roster that allows us to live healthy lives;- fair and competitive salaries, corrected to pre-COVID levels;- a voice in decisions that impact our lives and safety;- and above all, respect for the work we do, and the responsibility we carry. We want the next generation of South African pilots to once again believe in this career. Pilots want to stay. We want to serve. We want to fly. But these pilots cannot continue under conditions that compromise safety, well-being, and dignity. Thank you for your understanding. Thank you for your support. Gideon du Plessis General Secretary: Solidarity
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Understanding South Africa's reliance on foreign labour, and the way forward
In many sectors, particularly construction, infrastructure, and logistics, demand for specialised, high-risk or niche skills far outpaces local availability. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers South Africa's labour market faces a difficult contradiction: unemployment is high, yet many businesses can't find the skilled workers they need. This is especially true in sectors like logistics and construction, where foreign labour is often used to fill urgent gaps. While this approach helps keep operations running, it often raises concerns that jobs are being taken away from South Africans. But framing the issue as a choice between local and foreign labour doesn't capture the complexity of the problem. What's needed is a practical, balanced approach - one that meets immediate business needs while supporting long-term local skills development. Temporary Employment Services (TES) providers can help businesses strike this balance by handling legal compliance, ensuring fair hiring, and supporting programmes that transfer skills from foreign to local workers. Skills shortages vs. employment needs In many sectors, particularly construction, infrastructure, and logistics, demand for specialised, high-risk or niche skills far outpaces local availability. These shortages are often compounded by the need for flexibility in project-based or high-turnover roles - demands that foreign labour is sometimes better positioned to meet quickly. Foreign workers can also bring specialist expertise not yet widely available in the local talent pool. In these cases, such professionals serve not just as short-term resources but also as potential mentors and catalysts for local upskilling. The issue, then, is not whether foreign labour has a place in the South African economy – it clearly does – but how this labour is recruited, managed, and integrated into the workforce in a way that aligns with national priorities. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Enabling compliance and ethical hiring TES providers offer a compliant, ethical, and efficient framework for meeting urgent workforce needs without undermining employment equity or legal standards. By handling vetting, documentation, and permit validation, TES partners ensure that foreign workers are lawfully employed and that all contracts meet the requirements of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act, and other applicable regulations. Importantly, TES providers reduce legal and reputational risk for employers by acting as the legal employer of record, managing worker conditions, pay, and compliance on behalf of their clients. This arrangement offers much-needed operational flexibility while maintaining the integrity of South Africa's labour laws. Building local talent for the long term One of the most strategic roles TES providers can play is facilitating skills transfer from foreign to local workers. Through structured mentorship, buddy systems, and training programmes, TES can help businesses develop a pipeline of South African talent for future roles. Foreign specialists become short-term enablers, not long-term replacements – helping to upskill locals and reduce future reliance on imported skills. This approach supports inclusive growth by uplifting local communities and reinforcing long-term economic stability. It also helps businesses align their workforce strategy with transformation and employment equity goals, which are vital in today's South African business environment. Strategic workforce planning is a shared responsibility Creating a resilient, future-ready workforce requires collaboration between industry, government, and TES providers. Joint sector forums can help identify critical skills gaps, while shared investment in accredited training and mentorship will build a stronger local talent pipeline. Clear policy and streamlined immigration processes are also essential to support fair, lawful hiring. At the same time, businesses should be incentivised to invest in local skills development while managing foreign employment responsibly. By linking hiring strategies to SETA-accredited programmes and forecasting future needs, companies can meet immediate demands and contribute to sustainable growth, job creation, and national transformation goals. Finding the way forward South Africa doesn't need a binary answer to the foreign vs. local labour debate – it needs a smart, fair, and inclusive solution. TES providers are uniquely positioned to offer just that: a scalable, compliant, and opportunity-driven model that addresses short-term skill shortages while laying the foundation for long-term talent development. Foreign expertise should uplift, not displace local talent. With the right partnerships and policies in place, South Africa can close the skills gap, create jobs, and build an economy where both local and foreign expertise are part of the solution – not in competition, but in collaboration. Jacques Maritz is the national sales and service manager of Quyn International Outsourcing. Image: Supplied * Jacques Maritz is the national sales and service manager of Quyn International Outsourcing. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Social Development Minister to probe alleged grant fraud in Breede Valley
Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe. Image: Picture: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers SOCIAL Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe is set to probe a fraudulent scheme in which hundreds of Worcester and Rawsonville residents, mostly 18-year-olds, were allegedly unknowingly registered for a R370 monthly poverty grant but never received any payments. The alarm was raised by GOOD councillors in the Breede Valley Municipality who uncovered the alleged fraud while working with community activists on a programme to help destitute residents apply for the South African Social Security Agency's (Sassa) Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD). 'GOOD submitted a complaint to Sassa and the Hawks together with a dossier of 34 separate affidavits from victims of the scheme and a list detailing more than 300 additional victims. 'In its submission to Sassa and the Hawks, the GOOD Party suggests that the fraud is being committed by an individual or individuals with access to information about recipients of Child Support Grants. The modus operandi appears to use the ID numbers of children when they turn 18, and no longer qualify for the child grant, to apply for the SRD grant. The scale of the fraud is impossible for GOOD to determine. GOOD only became aware of it because its Councillors and party activists were working with the community in the Breede Valley region. The same type of fraud could be occurring across the province or the country,' GOOD secretary-general and MPL, Brett Herron said. The pattern they picked up showed that where hundreds of applicants should qualify for the grant, many of whom recently turned 18-years-old, they had their applications declined on the basis that their ID numbers were already linked to the grant. In other words, according to Sassa's system, they are already receiving the grant. According to the applicants, they have never applied for or received the grant. Many report in their affidavits that telephone numbers on Sassa's system linked to their ID numbers don't belong to them. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'While the investigation may take some time, GOOD calls on Sassa to make urgent interim arrangements to ensure that people qualifying for grants are not denied them due to Sassa systemic weaknesses.' Sassa did not respond to several requests for comment on the matter. Sandi Mbatsha, spokesperson to Tolashe confirmed she would look into the matter. The Hawks said they were assessing the case. Hawks spokesperson, Siyabulela Vukubi said: 'The Hawks are aware of the matter but still need to ascertain if this falls with our mandate. At this stage there is nothing to report.' Last year, Stellenbosch University students uncovered a similar trend: a survey of 60 students found that 58 had active SRD grant applications in Sassa's system, yet 56 said they had never applied, suggesting widespread fraud. The students also analysed data from Sassa's public portal and found nearly 75 000 applications for people born in February 2005, despite StatsSA showing only about 82 000 births that month, which pointed to a suspicious 91% application rate. Further analysis revealed that while the average application rate from those born between 1960 to 2006 was 52%, it jumped to 90% for those born between 2002 and 2006, the age group turning 18 since the grant was introduced in 2020. It raised concerns not only about who was receiving the money, but also about eligible individuals potentially being excluded from the support they need. Tolashe earlier this year said a full investigation would be launched into vulnerabilities across all social grants, after irregularities were uncovered in the SRD system. Tolashe did not respond to further requests for comment on the status of the investigation and what measures have been implemented to curb the incidents. Cape Times
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Physicality pays off: Springbok Women's shift in tactics delivers
Springbok Women flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg takes on the Black Ferns defence. Photo: Henk Kruger Independent Media Image: Henk Kruger Independent Media Performance coach Swys de Bruin admitted that a shift in the Springbok Women's approach after half-time bore fruit as they came close to a come-from-behind win against the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium on Saturday. South Africa were more direct and physical in the second half, keeping the ball tight and employing crash-ball tactics after being outplayed in the opening 40 minutes. 'We simply did not get going in the first half, but I have to give credit to the team for the way they adapted in the second half, where we created numerous chances,' De Bruin said after the 34–26 defeat to the New Zealanders, who led 20–12 at the break. 'If we did not have one of our tries disallowed at a crucial stage in the second half, who knows what could have happened at the end.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Powering up The Bok defence conceded four tries in the first half and only two in the second, with the South Africans gaining momentum through a more confrontational approach and the impact of a strong bench. 'We made a call at half-time to change our approach and play more direct, and that worked for us tonight,' said De Bruin. 'It was a night where we needed physicality and the shortest route forward, and we almost managed to turn the result around, something that I am very pleased about. It is all part of the learning curve as we head to the Rugby World Cup next month. 'We had some combinations that worked earlier in the season, like in the match against Spain where we scored several backline tries. But tonight we needed physical ball-carriers, and those combinations were better suited against a very skilful Black Ferns XV.' Swys de Bruin: 'We made a call at half-time to change our approach and play more direct, and that worked for us' - more here: 🗣#BokWomen #MakeItCount — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) July 26, 2025 Leading from the front One of those who embraced the change in tactics was captain and No 8 Babalwa Latsha, who scored one of the Bok Women's four tries. She said the players were comfortable with a more forward-driven strategy. 'We don't mind that at all – we are good in close-range rugby where we can use our physicality,' said Latsha. 'But the Black Ferns deserve credit as they showed good skills on a windy afternoon, and they really used their scoring opportunities well. Not so much for us – we created a lot of chances but didn't take them all, and that will again be a work-on for us this week.' It remains to be seen whether the Springboks will stick with the direct strategy when the sides meet again at the same venue next weekend – their final official outing before the World Cup. 'We wanted these games to see what we need to do better or where we are doing well, so next weekend will be that final test for the team and the combinations,' said De Bruin. 'I am very proud of our effort in that second half and the clarity that gave the coaching staff.'
