Author Archives: Wesley

WeszMadz Loves the New Google+

I am loving the new Google+.

It’s welcoming. It’s making me smile. It’s user friendly. It’s friendly.

The left Menu shortcuts to Profile, Explore, Hangouts, Photos, Circles, Games and More

Trending on Google+, People You May Know, You May Like, GoogleChat, The wall and the tab at the top with categories of your mates are all on the home page nicely laid out.

For now we test drive. We will see how this baby performs on the road. It’s a beauty on the floor for sure.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=A3Atj57r15U]

Rules intended to protect temps are having the opposite effect

As South Africa is pushing the Labour Bills into Parliament, in UK’s new Agency Worker Regulations, one of the hot issues “same pay and benefits as permanent workers” is resulting in an opposite effect. 

Extracts from The Telegraph article

Under the changes, which stem from European law, temps are entitled to the same pay and benefits as permanent workers after just 12 weeks in a job. Previously, they had to wait one year to clock up employment rights. ( SA has proposed 6months. We should be doing one year)

A Government analysis said the new rules would cost firms £1.8bn (over R10bn!) a year to implement, raising fears that cash-strapped businesses would stop hiring temps as it no longer made commercial sense. A typical small business would have to pay an extra £2,493 a year, increasing to £73,188 for larger companies. (Experts in SA have always been saying more people, if not more households will suffer as a result)

The new 12-week rule also damages temps’ flexibility to cover peaks and troughs in demand, experts said.

Scores of employers have revisited how they will use temps following the new rules, and are either recruiting fewer agency staff or urging them to waive their rights under a legal loophole. (This is one of my fears for the SA market)

Tom Hadley, policy director at the REC, said the decline in temp hiring “may in part be linked to employer uncertainty over the agency worker regulations”. (Unfortunately this has already commenced in SA without even the bills finalised)

The number of people placed in short-term jobs fell in March at the fastest rate for two-and-a-half years, research from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG revealed. (The Namibia case comes to mind. SA should bear this in mind)

SOURCE: THE TELEGRAPH

Credit to worradmu for the image

Credit to worradmu for the image

The Fan Club! Banks on Twitter

For You Nobu. Following the previous post on The Fan Club! Banks on Facebook, comes Banks on Twitter. (all stats correct at time of going to print)

1. FNB –@Rbjacobs

This is the official Twitter Account for FNB. The account currently has 7 581 followers, following 2155 and has 32 637 tweets.

Their Twitter Bio – The official FNB Guy. In South Africa, Love our customers & FNB, How can I help you?

The background image has the words. “The More Give Bank”” I’m the official Internet Guy for FNB(First National Bank) Be My Friend! If you have any queries regarding FNB, I’m the guy to speak to! I’m just a tweet away!”

Interesting to note that Michael Jordaan  the Chief Executive Officer of First National Bank and also as an Executive Committee Member of the FirstRand Banking Group is also on twitter (@MichaelJordaan) and has 12 098 followers, following 97 and has 2 932 tweets. (You can do better Michael on the following)

2. ABSA – No Twitter Account

I did not find an official Twitter Account for ABSA and neither do they mention it on their website.

(ABSA Do something about your official presence on Twitter)

3. Standard Bank – @StandardBankGrp

This is the official Twitter account for Standard Bank South Africa. The account currently has 7 302 followers, following 5 584 and has 12 063 tweets.

Their Twitter Bio -Welcome to the official Standard Bank Group on Twitter. South Africa

The background image has the words ” When we connect The World we move you forward” (this should be their Twitter Bio)

4. Nedbank – @Nedbank

This the official Twitter account for Nedbank. The account currently has 1 922 followers, following 1 160 and has 2 728 tweets.

Their Twitter Bio – Welcome to the official Nedbank Twitter account. South Africa (You can do better Nedbank, give us a more catchy bio)

5. Capitec – @CapitecBankSA

This is the official Twitter account for Capitec Bank. The account has 2 707 followers, following 293 and has 1 615 tweets. (follow your followers Capitec)

Their Twitter Bio – An innovative banking facility offering transactions, savings and credit which are accessed via a paperless, card-driven process in realtime. Tel: 0860 10 20 43

 

The Fan Club! Banks on Facebook

My dearest Nobu asked me this question: “Quick question: How can banks use social media??”

Not sure about the quick part of the question but it inspired me to write a post on where or which social media are South African Banks on. All stats are as at the time of going to print. Here is a quick look with a quick summary of the facebook fan pages

1. FNB – FNB’s Fan page

Has 67 743 likes and 3755 fans are talking about or on the page.

The cover page has an image highlighting them as a bank that gives more in terms of value, giving, saving, rewards and innovation.

The fan page has the following tabs – Photos, Competitions, The FNB App on your smartphone, FNB Graduates, Start a Business, FNB Gaga, FNB TV and Material The Movie.

A quick look shows an average of 30 comments or 30 likes on their updates/posts

2. ABSA – ABSA’s Fan Page

Has 53 255 likes and 490 fans talking about or on the page.

The cover page has an image of the ABSA building in the CBD.

The fan page has the following tabs – Photos, Personal Loans, KKNK Wynsaal, YouTube and Like.Curious

A quick look shows an average of 14 comments or likes on their updates/posts

3. Standard Bank – Standard Bank SA Fan Page

Has 29 845 likes and 1013 fans talking about or on the page

The cover page has an image showing the 150years of moving their customer forward.

The fan page has the following tabs – Photos, Livin’ it Up, Funeral Plan, Terms and Conditions(The Bank’s Social Media Code of Conduct), Videos, MXit and Notes

A quick look shows an average of 20 comments or likes on their updates/posts

4. Nedbank – Nedbank’s Fan Page

Has 2 984 likes and 409 fans talking about or on the page

The cover page has an image showing the Nedbank Cup, Competitions and Internet banking

The fan page has the following tabs – Photos, Notes, Pass the Parcel and Events

A quick look shows an average of 7 comments or likes on their updates/posts

5. Capitec – Capitec’s Fan Page

Has 29 034 likes and 776 fans talking about or on the page

The cover page has an image showing a gentleman who seems to be using a touch screen CSI style, with the words transact, credit and save.

The fan page has the following tabs – Photos, Speak Up, Speak Up Results, Live Free, Transparency, Budgetnator, Careers, Global One, Happy, Swapping Mall and Videos

A quick look shows an average of 40 comments or likes on their updates/posts

To Answer Nobu

The above quick summary of each bank indicates to you how banks in South Africa are using Social Media (in this post Facebook Fan Page) to communicate with their customers at different levels.

In my next post I will look into their presence on Twitter.

Am I Permanent after 6months of working as a temp?

This has been a huge argument among labour experts some saying all temps become permanent after six months. Well today (4 April 2012) the Department of Labour held their first public briefing in Johannesburg and here is what the Labour Chief Director Thembinkosi Mkalipi had to say….

Temporary work would be defined as that lasting no more than six months, said chief director of collective bargaining Thembinkosi Mkalipi. “After six months, I cannot be treated differently from other employees, no matter if I am employed by the broker or the client,” he said. “Let’s give workers what is due to them.”  This could be summarised as “same treatment and same pay for the same work”. Exceptions included workers who earned more than R172,000 per year, certain types of seasonal work and contracts to replace staff on sick leave.

SOURCE: iafrica

So there we have it! and I qoute “…no matter if I am employed by the broker or the client”

Amendment of section 198 of Act 66 of 1995 – general provisions regulating temporary employment services
Section 198 continues to apply to all employees. It retains the general provisions that a TES is the employer of persons whom it employs and pays to work for a client, and that a TES and its client are jointly and severally liable for specified contraventions of employment laws.

A number of further general protections are introduced:

  •  An employee bringing a claim for which a TES and client are jointly and severally liable may institute proceedings against either the TES or the client or both and may enforce any order or award made against the TES or client against either of them.

47 000 feet in Mzanzi

Ladies and Gentleman welcome aboard this flight WM211 to a destination of your choice in South Africa. Cabin crew arm your doors and cross check. We will be taking off on runaway 2N in a northerly direction and making a short left enroute to your choice of destination. We will be cruising at 47000 feet (yeah, quite high hey). Weather enroute is all clear. Seat back, relax and enjoy this flight.

Booking
The best way is to book online. I highly recommend that before you book you must check all airlines how much the tickets are. I have seen on many occasions the so called budget airlines being more expensive than the SAA’s and BA’s of this world. Remember to choose meal options at booking otherwise you will get the same old meal if you are a regular traveller. The fruit platter in the morning is a lekker one on SAA.

Check In
If you love certain seats like some of us we love the window seat and as further up the plane as possible you must check in online exactly 24hrs before the flight. With Mango you get lucky at times as they open earlier. How? Simple. Diarize the check in on your smart device to remind you 5min before the 24hr mark.

The best time
The best time to fly out of Johannesburg is the first flight of the day. Any delays that occur normally do after the first flight. Mango Airlines is SA’s most on time airline so now you know who flies you out. SAA has recently up their game on early arrivals. They are boarding passengers earlier than scheduled resulting in early departures and early arrivals. 3 Thumbs Up for you there.
The best time to return to Johannesburg is arriving from 17h30, just in time to miss the traffic unless if you are driving to Pretoria (the four lanes all the way to Tshwane has made travel between the airport and Tshwane quick at any time of the day)
The best parking undercover is Level 3 parking on the domestic side. Everyone goes straight to level 2. Park in level 3 close to the lifts and just take one flight of stairs to the level 2 bridge.
I don’t have a best airline but my worst airline is Kulula. They have massive delays which is extremely bad for business. But if you flying for personal reasons then you can endure the delays.

Security
Oh Yes security is big issue in SA and our airports have a fair share of the load. If at all possible DON’T check in your bag. Pack light. I put all my shirts and suit in a suit cover, the backpack then carries the toiletry bag, laptop, iPad etc. Check in and go through the security gates as soon as you get to the airport. Enjoy your cup of coffee on the other side aka airside. At least on the other side you have fellow passengers.

The Airlines
SAA
Mango
Kulula
1 Time
British Airways

Gautrain
I am not happy that Gautrain at the time of going to print does not start operating early enough to catch the first flight out of Johannesburg. Enough said.

The WeszMadz Rule Number One: Be At The Airport Two Hours Before Each Flight
I have never missed a flight as a result

I am sure I will be writing another article on this topic. So much to say.

People don’t talk to you on flights! Some don’t even greet or answer your greetings.

P/S I wrote this post on board British Airways flight BA6441 to Cape Town 28 March 2012

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Cancel your Easter Holiday Plans! Public briefings on Labour bills commences 4 April 2012!

As we all know the amendment bills for the Labour Relations Act (LRA) and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) have been submitted to the Cabinet Committee by The Minister of Labour. Next Up is the Public hearings and it is of interest to note that the public briefings planned by Department of Labour are intended to strictly inform and are not an input gathering session. One way traffic it seems.

“We are going to have briefings in all the provinces. In 2010 after publishing the new bills for amendment, we went on a national public hearings campaign, where we solicited comments from the public and various organisations. So, we feel it is also important, that we should go back and report to public what we propose. We want to educate interested stakeholders what these changes mean. Our duty now is to provide clarification,” DoL Chief Director: Collective Bargaining Thembinkosi Mkalipi (27 March 2012)

SOURCE: DOL

The schedule for the public briefings is as follows: 

Johannesburg, Orion Devonshire Hotel on 04/04/2012;

Cape Town, Fountains Hotel 05/04/2012;

Polokwane, Meropa Casino 09/04/2012. (Thats Easter Monday! Someone tell the Minister)

(Polokwane changed to 02/05/2012 CHANGES HERE)

Durban, Tropicana Hotel 12/04/2012; (Durban changed to 18/04/2012) (CHANGES HERE)

Port Elizabeth; Eastern Cape Training Centre 17/04/2012;

Bloemfontein, President Hotel 23/04/2012;

Kimberley, ICC Kimberley 24/04/2012;

Rustenburg,  Hunters Rest 25/04/2012; (Rustenburg changed to 20 April 2012) (CHANGES HERE)

Witbank Protea Hotel 26/04/2012;

NB All public briefings will be held from 10:00 to 13:00

Qoutable Quotes: Labour Broking Saga March 2012

1. Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane March 8 2012

“Cabinet wishes to reiterate its conviction that abusive labour practices should be prohibited. The matter of labour brokers is being discussed at Nedlac by all the social partners.

“Cabinet calls on all social partners to prioritise the finalisation of this matter at Nedlac.”

SOURCE

2. President Jacob Zuma

“The ruling party’s 2009 manifesto was jointly adopted and launched by the alliance – the ANC, Cosatu and the SA Communist Party,”

SOURCE

3. ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe

“This ANC 2009 election manifesto was signed by all alliance partners, including Cosatu.”

SOURCE

4. Strike participant Edward Stalwart

If labour brokers were banned, “the companies that make use of the labour brokers will simply get guys off the streets to do the job”, said strike participant Edward Stalwart.

“Nothing will be accomplished by getting rid of labour brokers, it will only make the situation worse.”

Stalwart said rather than call a march, Cosatu should have upped their efforts to negotiate with government and business.

“We have been marching for all these years and we never got answers.  Why would the government and businesses listen to this time around?  This is time wasting,” said Stalwart.

SOURCE

5. Labour Brokers: Cosatu Snubbed (The New Age)

“The government will transform laws to regulate labour broking because banning it will send thousands of people to the jobless queue,” said the source. “I shudder to think what the trade unions will do because the government’s refusal to ban labour broking will obviously disappoint them.”

SOURCE

6. ‘Don’t panic over labour brokers’ LABOUR Minister Mildred Oliphant

LABOUR Minister Mildred Oliphant yesterday said there was no reason to panic about labour brokers as discussions and negotiations at Nedlac were ongoing.

SOURCE

7. Black Business Council (BBC) welcomes Labour broking regulation

“We also welcome the news that there is a drive to regulate, rather than ban labour broking in South Africa.

“We maintain that flexible employment solutions should be counted among real solutions to the scourge of unemployment, especially among the youth.”

SOURCE

8. ‘Labour brokers add value’

The Black Business Council on Wednesday said labour broking does add value to the economy but that any abusive practices in the industry must be stamped out.

SOURCE

9. Mechanism of flexibility – Neren Rau

“We are removing a mechanism of flexibility and a mechanism of job creation from the environment due to a small level of lack of compliance and not really appreciating the huge benefits that labour broking offers to our economy and businesses and prospective employees.” Neren Rau, CEO of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry