December 2012: Last year more than R1.03 billion was lost in employee income due to ongoing strikes in various sectors. This year, it is predicted that the figure will be surpassed due to the rapid spread of strikes in many sectors of the SA economy. According...
18 October 2012: South Africa’s labour productivity has reached a 46-year low according to recent Adcorp figures. This figure can be attributed to a major gap across all South African industries, whereby supervisors lack efficient training and are not properly equipped with the right skillset...
The latest report investigating individuals at UK-based Barclays Bank regarding the rigging of the LIBOR rate (London interbank offered rate), which controls the rate of home loans, credit cards and other financial transactions, cites the company’s flawed culture as a primary reason for its demise. The...
October 2012: The latest report investigating individuals at UK-based Barclays Bank regarding the rigging of the LIBOR rate (London interbank offered rate), which controls the rate of home loans, credit cards and other financial transactions, cites the company’s flawed culture as a primary reason for...
The recent conflict at Lonmin Marikana platinum mine saw 44 people killed in violence sparked by a union membership turf war between the dominant National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the newer Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU). Strike action in the gold and...
The recent announcement by Anglo American Platinum that it plans to cut 727 jobs highlights the crucial need for management, employees and trade unions to join forces in ensuring economic survival to minimise the effects of job losses, says OIM International director Chris Jacobs. He says:...
THE HEAT IS ON: Serious problems lie ahead for the South African economy unless there is a speedy return to work at the country's mines, including the disaster-hit Lonmin mine at Marikana. BOSSES may be forced to slash thousands of jobs in the mining industry as...
IN THE turf war over union membership in the platinum sector, one employee matters more than any other: the rock drill operator. Rock drillers are the lifeblood of mining operations. Without their back-breaking and dangerous work, operations simply come to a halt. They are responsible for drilling...
The reason for the high level of failure is companies neglecting planning and early stages of analysis, which in turn causes a downward spiral of negative consequences, such as failing to keep to schedules, missing deadlines and failing to complete projects. “As a result the company’s...
Anton Burger OIM International, Director at OIM Operations Solutions Schedule slippage, quality flaws and budget overruns are all warning signs that a project is in trouble. When it comes to the implementation of technology-related projects, such problems are often due to poor planning and poor management...
Recent conflict at Lonmin’s Western Platinum operations in the Rustenburg area has claimed the lives of at least 44 people, including two policemen as tension spiralled out of control. The violence marks an escalation of pressure that has rocked Lonmin’s Marikana mine since last Friday,...
SOUTH Africa can avoid cycles of drawn-out strikes which invariably result in economic consequences to businesses and workers alike. Chris Jacobs, director at business consultancy firm OIM International, said new long-term partnerships between business and union leaders were crucial to the future of both businesses and...
