Tag: working condition

With its two-tiered, highly unequal healthcare system, only 14.86% of South Africa’s population can currently afford private healthcare, and rising costs are making it difficult for many to keep paying their monthly medical aid premiums.

You’re most likely familiar with the definition of fitness, as it applies to your body. If considered fit, you might be able to run, swim or cycle for longer periods or at high intensity, with your body easily accommodating the exertion.

Traditionally, mentoring involved a more experienced individual providing guidance, motivation and role modelling for a newer, younger individual in the workplace. This transfer of knowledge and industry insights entails a power relationship, where the mentor has authority over the person in the protégé role.

During the 6th UN Global Road Safety Week from 17-23 May 2021, I challenge the assumptions about road safety, minibus taxi crashes, and who is responsible. In 2010 a minibus taxi driver lost his arm when a private vehicle hit him. The college-educated taxi driver, for whom driving was just a stop-gap job, was left disabled and unemployed. As his occupational therapist, I decided to take a closer look at minibus taxi crashes in Johannesburg and who is really responsible.

Working from home has become a normal part of business life, a part that is unlikely to come to a crashing halt any time soon. Within this new normal are casual clothes, comfortable working conditions, as well as less time spent in cars and chatting around the water cooler.

We have been consistent in saying that labour laws and the National Minimum Wage (NMW) are not benefitting the unemployed. In fact, they do the exact opposite. Parliament, as the institution that makes the laws, is failing the unemployed as it is the responsible body that brings out laws and regulations that cause an increase in unemployment.

South Africa’s young people prefer to work for organisations that have business leaders who are open and honest in their communication with employees. In the eyes of younger generations, transparency has become an important factor that needs to be ensured by employers, in particular on matters relating to the business and leadership.

Uber drivers are currently classified as independent contractors in South Africa, but there are plans to launch a class action to compel Uber SA to confer several key rights on its drivers, which, if successful, will affect the rights of platform workers.

The Job Seekers Exemption Certificate (JSEC) idea has been around for a long time. It was first presented to President Thabo Mbeki, who passed it on to the Department of Labour. But nothing was done with it. It seems that it is only when you are unemployed that you can understand that it will be like holding a piece of gold in your hand.