New SAA deal could taint Pretoria's reform agenda

Significance It also raises questions about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reform plan for state-owned enterprises (SOEs), crucial to growth prospects and the restoration of public finances, as well as market confidence. Impacts More state expenditure on SAA could harden the resolve of public-service trade unions in challenging Pretoria over a wage agreement dispute. Mboweni's credibility will take a hit if the restructuring plan is carried through with more state aid. A newly announced government council on reforming SOEs will paradoxically raise fears of further delays to overhauling them.

South Africa polls may bring mining improvements

Significance This followed just a week after AMCU and miner Sibanye-Stillwater reached a wage agreement after a protracted five-month strike at the latter’s goldmines. Meanwhile, the latest draft Mining Charter remains in limbo after a recent court challenge by the Minerals Council. Impacts AMCU leader Joseph Mathunjwa could face a forthcoming leadership challenge should the union’s struggles worsen. Government efforts to encourage post-election investment could include concessions on a planned carbon tax. Increasing energy tariffs will prompt mines to accelerate moves towards embedded generation.

WILL TRADESMAN COLLECTIVE WAGE AGREEMENT BE EXEMPTED FROM THE HONG KONG COMPETITION ORDINANCE?

Tradesman Collective Wage Agreement (TCWA) has been used for construction tradesmen for many years. This would ensure the daily wage for qualified tradesmen will not fall below the agreed level. On 14th December 2015, the Hong Kong first ever Competition Ordinance (HKCO) came into effect. Under the First Conduct Rule (Section 6 of the HKCO), an undertaking must not (a) make or give effect to an agreement; (b) engage in a concerted practice; or (c) as a member of an association of undertakings, make or give effect to a decision of the association, if the object or effect of the agreement, concerted practice or decision is to prevent, restrict or distort competition in Hong Kong. Moreover, Section 15 of HKCO allows exemption for agreements that fulfil certain criteria such as economic efficiency and public policy. This study finds that TCWA will likely violate the First Conduct Rule due to its price fixing effect. Moreover, TCWA can apply for block exemption under Section 15 of the HKCO on the ground of engendering economic benefits. Reference is also made to the first application for exemption under the HKCO to illustrate the key arguments.

Leadership, labour woes to hurt South Africa mining

Significance The gold sector has so far avoided strikes (NUM concluded a wage agreement affecting two firms on October 2), unlike the wider mining sector. Government policies and support initiatives, along with leadership changes, are unlikely to improve the outlook. Impacts The special tax commission's rejection of windfall taxes on mining will provide a moderate confidence boost. However, strong support for such measures from ANC provincial bodies could keep them on the party's agenda. The NUM strike raises the risk of power blackouts given the country's dependence on Eskom's finite coal reserves. NUM rival, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU), could reject the gold sector wage agreement, raising strike risks. AMCU only has sufficient members for a protected strike at Sibanye Gold, opening the possibility of retrenchments.

Restructuring the Public Service—The Integration of Data Entry and Clerical Areas

The 1987 second-tier wage agreement between the federal public service and the government provided for the restructuring of employment in the public service, including the integration of job classifications and extensive job redesign. This paper is based on research, conducted within a department of the federal public service, into the process of integrating data entry processors and their functions into the mainstream clerical work area. It also examines the wider process of participative work design, in particular its ability to provide a mechanism for worker participation and to improve the workers' quality of work life. In terms of the integration of data entry and clerical streams the process has been very successful. There is some dissatisfaction and disenchantment on the part of some clerks, but for most workers it has provided positive and worthwhile improvements in job satisfaction. In terms of the participative work design, the process has been less successful, although it seems to have contributed to a shift in organizational culture toward increased participation and consultation with workers.