Latest news with #NomakhosazanaMeth
The Herald
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald
ActionSA demands Meth's dismissal for 'failing' to address unemployment
ActionSA has called for the dismissal of employment and labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth for her 'failure' to address the unemployment crisis in the country. In the first quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate increased by 1 percentage point to 32.9% from the fourth quarter of 2024, leaving millions of people without jobs and others discouraged to look for work. ActionSA MP Alan Beesley said Meth had failed to present a plan to address the issue. ' There is a glaring absence of any meaningful strategy, either in planning or implementation, and despite full awareness of South Africa's worsening unemployment crisis, Meth has failed to present a coherent plan to stem job losses, support the informal economy or tackle the systemic barriers that keep young people out of the workforce,' Beesley said. 'ActionSA believes that something has to give. Sitting on our hands while millions suffer is simply not an option. We are committed to using every available lever to ensure that South Africa's unemployment crisis is addressed with the urgency it demands.'
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Labour minister pledges crackdown on labour law violations
Meth said that she had submitted the national labour migration policy and an amendment Bill to the Cabinet earlier this week. Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth Picture: Department of Employment and Labour The government has pledged stronger enforcement of labour laws and greater protection of South African workers. Speaking on Friday to a packed gathering of workers, employers and government stakeholders, Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth declared her unwavering support for workers, vowing to take action against employers who flout labour regulations. 'There are jobs in South Africa, yes. But we become enemies when workers are exploited and when the labour laws of this country are not respected,' she said. Inspectors to be reinforced Acknowledging the department's limited capacity, Meth revealed plans to strengthen the labour inspectorate. 'We only have about 2 000 inspectors responsible for more than 10 million businesses,' she said. 'We are working like headless chickens.' She announced that the first 10 000 new inspector posts are being shortlisted to enhance the department's ability to monitor compliance. 'We must go to each and every employer who does not comply,' she said, adding that enforcement was long overdue. ALSO READ: The dark picture of youth unemployment in South Africa Labour migration policy under review Meth confirmed that she had submitted the national labour migration policy and an amendment Bill to the Cabinet earlier this week. 'It is a policy paper that will set aside certain categories of jobs for South Africans. We cannot allow a situation where our people are labelled as lazy while undocumented workers are employed under illegal conditions' Meth said. She stressed that the government is not xenophobic, but insisted that employment opportunities must prioritise locals. ALSO READ: DA slams Lesufi's 'failed' economic strategies as Gauteng reports job losses Petitions spark ministerial visit Meth's visit followed several petitions from local workers which highlighted long-standing grievances including poor working conditions, exploitation of foreign labour and inadequate enforcement. 'Even though I heard that there are petitions still on their way, I came to listen first-hand. Some issues go beyond our department and will be taken up with other departments,' she said. Issues raised include the implications of the national minimum wage on housing subsidies and workplace discrimination against those earning above the threshold. Farm workers in focus Meth acknowledged that farm workers in the region remain among the most vulnerable, often working in degrading conditions. 'We are dispatching a reinforcement team to conduct inspections. I'm not going to say where – but they are happening,' she said. Meth urged collaboration across government, employers, unions and communities to tackle the country's unemployment crisis, which currently stands at 32.9%. 'We are not here to respond to petitions only. We are here to act. Your voice is heard and not just heard, we will act on it,' she said. The department will continue to host outreach programmes and on-site services to ensure workers' grievances are addressed directly. NOW READ: Increased unemployment rate red flag for weak economic growth
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
R382 million UIF lifeline confirmed by Labour Minister for SAPO employees
Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth says nearly 6,000 SAPO workers will receive relief through a R382 million TERS intervention, as government backs a plan to stabilise the troubled state-owned entity. The Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has confirmed the implementation of a new agreement between the South African Post Office (SAPO) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), aimed at preserving nearly 6,000 jobs and supporting the recovery of one of South Africa's most critical state-owned entities. Through the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), the UIF will inject over R382 million into SAPO over six months. The funds will provide immediate financial relief to 5,956 employees while enabling SAPO to implement a long-term turnaround strategy. 'This is a bold and necessary step to protect workers and restore confidence in our public institutions,' said Meth. 'The TERS programme is not just a financial mechanism — it is a strategic tool to stabilise employment, support economic recovery and ensure that no worker is left behind.' Funds will be disbursed in monthly tranches through a dedicated TERS bank account. Meth emphasised that this will happen 'with strict governance, auditing and compliance measures in place.'
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
UIF's R381 million deal with SA Post Office aims to preserve jobs as unions call for long-term solutions
The South African Post Office (SAPO) has entered into a partnership with the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has entered into a multi-million rand deal with the South African Post Office (SAPO) that could help stave off the immediate loss of thousands of jobs at the state-owned entity. Through the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), the UIF will inject over R381 million into SAPO over a six-month period. While the move has been welcomed by some labour unions, an economist is doubtful that it will have any significant long-term impact on improving the fortunes of the Post Office. Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth said the implementation of the signed agreement between SAPO and the UIF was aimed at preserving nearly 6,000 jobs and was a 'bold and necessary step to protect workers and restore confidence in public institutions.' Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ The UIF and SAPO have formally entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), marking the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two entities. 'The TERS programme is not just a financial mechanism; it is a strategic tool to stabilise employment, support economic recovery, and ensure that no worker is left behind,' Meth said. The minister explained that the funding will be disbursed in monthly tranches through a dedicated TERS bank account, with strict governance, auditing, and compliance measures in place. SAPO is required to submit regular reports, maintain transparent accounting records, and implement a detailed turnaround strategy. Earlier this month, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Diko, described the approval of six months of income support for the Post Office as 'a much-needed lifeline that the state is both morally and duty-bound to extend.' According to reports, this latest round of income support brings the total amount of government bailouts for SAPO to approximately R9.8 billion since 2014. Zwelinzima Vavi of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) said that while the trade union federation supported the funding move, it was a short-term measure. "We need a permanent solution.' He stated that they have written to the president about the matter and how it could be better handled but have not heard back. In the letter, Saftu argued that SAPO has improved and should be provided with more substantial support from the government. 'Since entering business rescue, SAPO has registered progress. Between June 2023 and June 2024, SAPO has turned its net asset value from a negative R7.9 billion to R840 million, bringing it into solvency. Furthermore, SAPO has since seen operations improve — reducing backlogs in its mail centre and completing data centre migration. "However, despite these recorded partial successes, the Treasury appears to have turned against the government's commitment to save this vital service to the poor with an additional R3.8 billion to complete the business rescue process.' Vavi said Saftu believed that SAPO has a Universal Service Obligation mandate; therefore, it must be saved and retained in public hands. If its liquidation were a reality, the consequences would be devastating for the working class, particularly those in rural areas, he concluded. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) also welcomed the agreement. It explained that the funds would cover 75% of the wages of SAPO's 6,027 employees over the next six months while the entity undertakes its turnaround plans. 'While this relief comes after much anguish and extreme hardship imposed on SAPO's staff by its management, it will provide badly needed comfort. It is critical that SAPO be given the full support it needs to effect its turnaround and ensure that it is firmly set on a path to recovery and sustainability,' said the trade union federation. Cosatu added that the remaining balance of the previously committed R3.8 billion injection from the National Treasury also must be provided to SAPO to enable it to settle debts and outstanding payments. 'As provided for in the SAPO Amendment Act, the Post Office's turnaround plans need to include, with the support of key departments, the establishment of a one-stop shop where citizens can apply for a variety of government services, e.g., identity documents, social grants, educational or SMME financing, etc. Equally critical is SAPO's entry into the lucrative courier sector, as relying upon its historic business model is clearly not sustainable given the rapid advent of the fourth industrial revolution. 'The current challenges hindering the turnaround of the Postbank also need to be tackled, as its successful rollout as a state bank targeting historically redlined communities will be a further boost to SAPO given their symbiotic relationship and shared infrastructure. The government must lead from the front and utilise SAPO and the Postbank as their service providers for postal and courier services, rolling out civic, social grant, and other services to the public, as well as banking needs. This would provide SAPO and Postbank with the badly needed liquidity they require to survive and thrive,' it concluded. However, economist Dawie Roodt is not convinced of SAPO's continued survival. 'The UIF is allowed to invest its surplus funds, but I doubt they are allowed to take this kind of risk. This money will not change anything; it will go to salaries and will help to kick the can down the road for a few months. We should be honest that the Post Office is dead; it is so far behind on its debt, it's bankrupt. If there is something still left, they should sell it,' said Roodt. THE MERCURY
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
'No worker left behind': Labour minister confirms R382 million UIF lifeline to save nearly 6,000 SAPO jobs
Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth says nearly 6,000 SAPO workers will receive relief through a R382 million TERS intervention, as government backs a plan to stabilise the troubled state-owned entity. The Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has confirmed the implementation of a new agreement between the South African Post Office (SAPO) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), aimed at preserving nearly 6,000 jobs and supporting the recovery of one of South Africa's most critical state-owned entities. Through the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS), the UIF will inject over R382 million into SAPO over six months. The funds will provide immediate financial relief to 5,956 employees while enabling SAPO to implement a long-term turnaround strategy. 'This is a bold and necessary step to protect workers and restore confidence in our public institutions,' said Meth. 'The TERS programme is not just a financial mechanism — it is a strategic tool to stabilise employment, support economic recovery and ensure that no worker is left behind.' Funds will be disbursed in monthly tranches through a dedicated TERS bank account. Meth emphasised that this will happen 'with strict governance, auditing and compliance measures in place.'
