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News & Views by Terry Bell
Browsing All Posts published in »2018«
A digital wake-up call for labour
Debates surrounding the delayed and now postponed private placing on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange of Sagarmatha Technologies, featuring the controversial Dr Iqbal Survé, have at least provided a information about the 4th industrial revolution that should be a wake-up call for labour. They ignore this at their peril.
A glance at SA labour’s state of flux
April 8, 2018
(Inside Labour – first published in City Press 04.04.2018) South Africa’s trade union movement is in a state of flux. But, largely at a bureaucratic level at this stage, a battle is raging, between the various federations competing for both affiiiates and wider support. Focus over the past week has been on the tripartite National […]
A glance at SA labour’s state of flux
April 8, 2018
The South African labour movement is in a state of flux, with a largely unnoticed internecine war for members and influence going on. Three of the competing federations are on the back foot over minimum wage proposals, but there may be hope of some union unity over controversial labour law amendments that seem to entrench a system of growing inequality.
A citizens’ coalition road to real democracy
April 2, 2018
Modern communications technology allows us all to be in almost instant communication with one another. Why then should we not use such technology to organise a coalition of citizens on the basis of a democratic programme that would remove the system of elites that now operates and that is inherently open to corruption? It is possible and is certainly worth discussing seriously.
The YES gambit for 2019 SA elections
April 1, 2018
The Youth Employment Scheme (YES) announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa is not unique. Sucvh schemes have been tried — and have failed — before. In fact, YES may add more fuel to the ticking time bomb of dissatisfaction among the army of unemployed youth.
Potential SA strike turmoil & the 2019 elections
March 31, 2018
The response to the April 25 general strike call by the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) and the turnouts and attitudes expressed at coming May Day rallies should provide a good indication of the mood of a widely disgruntled labour movement. It may also provide a clear union response to President Cyril Ramaphosa's newly announced Youth Employment Scheme.
SA’s public broadcaster blunders again
March 30, 2018
In an action that has stunned broadcasters and many radio listeners, popular SAfm morning show radio host Sakina Kamwendo had her last Forum at Eight programme shut down by management, halfway through its alloted hour. In what one senior broadcaster called "a public relations mess", Kamwendo was abruptly taken off air and in a move reminiscent of military coups, music was instead played, without explanation.
4th Industrial Revolution: the underlying question
March 24, 2018
Many of the arguments about the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) are simplistic and often crude, despite the wealth of information and analysis available. What underlies all this "noise" about 4IR is the question of what economic system will be required for "the machines" to operate to the benefit of all.
Terry Bell Writes 
April 14, 2018
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