Michael Bagraim

Labour Lawyer

Unmasking sexual harassment in the workplace

Michael Bagraim|Published

Sexual harassment is often acted out by the more powerful individual who has control over the other.

Understanding employee leave rights during the holiday season

Michael Bagraim|Published

‘It is absolutely vital that arranged leave is properly contracted to ensure that all the staff are fully aware when their leave must be taken. Leave is after all ...

End of the year Christmas parties can end up messy for employers and employees

Michael Bagraim|Published

‘Many times this bad behaviour at staff gatherings have brought the employer into disrepute and on some occasions the employer has landed up paying damages for destruction ...

Ongoing slush fund raids

Michael Bagraim|Published

‘Unfortunately, the Department of Employment and Labour over the years has been an expert at not only raiding slush funds but in practising fruitless and wasteful ...

Taxpayers money being wasted on suspended officials on full pay

Michael Bagraim|Published

‘The congress of South African trade unions have coupled the suspension of the UIF Commissioner, Teboho Maruping with the fact that thousands of workers when applying ...

We need amendments to the current labour laws

Michael Bagraim|Published

COLUMN: Michael Bagraim writes that many systems exempt small businesses from a myriad of laws if they employ fewer than five hundred people. We need to rethink ...

Government’s bold stance on public sector wages sparks optimism

Michael Bagraim|Published

‘The Minister of Finance is faced with an unenviable challenge: balancing the unaffordability of these increases with the risk of a strike. ’

Department of Employment and Labour and its myriad of investment problems

Michael Bagraim|Published

The Department of Employment and Labour, particularly the Compensation Fund and the Unemployment Insurance Fund, have monies invested through the Public Investment ...

Auditor General's role in ensuring clean governance

Michael Bagraim|Published

COLUMN: Michael Bagraim writes that under the GNU, a new energy has emerged to enhance accountability, address irregular expenditure, and ensure compliance with ...

SA’s labour laws poised for reform amid economic pressures

Michael Bagraim|Published

COLUMN: ‘For the first time in over a decade, we are seeing significant movement and development in proposed changes to South Africa’s labour laws. ’

Urgent reform needed in South Africa’s labour law enforcement

Michael Bagraim|Published

‘We are living in a time in South Africa where dismissed workers, who had contributed to the UIF, are now on the brink of starvation. In my efforts to assist these ...

Deepening crisis at UIF leaves South African workers in despair

Michael Bagraim|Published

For over five years, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Compensation Fund have found themselves at the centre of relentless criticism, with little indication ...

Thorny issue of employing foreigners amid our high unemployment rate

Michael Bagraim|Published

COLUMN: ‘Many of our neighbours cross our borders illegally and hundreds of thousands have found gainful employment even though they do not have work permits. ’

Many changes are needed to get nation working

Michael Bagraim|Published

COLUMN: “My understanding is that Nedlac, which is the debating chamber for labour policy, has made various proposals about amendments to our labour laws. Hopefully, ...

Much to do to get SA working, but hope remains

Michael Bagraim|Published

COLUMN: 'I am hopeful that as the committee matures into its position and knowledge is gained, the Government of National Unity will vigorously exercise the oversight ...

It’s employment equity crunch time again

Michael Bagraim|Published

COLUMN: The Department of Employment and Labour has announced that all designated employers must submit their 2024 employment equity reports. They must complete ...

Structural employment based on race

Michael Bagraim|Published

We have numerous pieces of labour legislation in South Africa today which support social engineering and the structuring of employment of individuals based on race. ...

What the law says about employees striking

Michael Bagraim|Published

‘A strike is defined as a general refusal to work. A strike can be either protected or unprotected. For a strike to be protected, a dispute must exist and the parties ...

An overview of labour relations in South Africa

Michael Bagraim|Published

Our Constitution outlines freedom of association and general protections for employees and employers. Our Labour Relations Act is one of the pieces of labour law ...

The two-pot system will come as a relief to workers drowning in debt

Michael Bagraim|Published

With the two-pot system as of September, working South Africans who have invested in pension funds will be able to access 10% of that money initially.

SA hopeful for increased job creation under new minister

Michael Bagraim|Published

‘The whole country looks forward to hearing the voices of our new Minister of Employment and Labour, Minister Nomakhosazana Meth. My plea goes to Minister Meth to ...

GNU is getting down to business and the excitement is palpable

Michael Bagraim|Published

‘New governments are notorious for taking a long time to get off the starting block, but in the world of labour and work, this appears not to be the case – the National ...

Falling numbers and failing influence is taking a toll on trade unions

Michael Bagraim|Published

‘As more and more independent trade unions arise and the country faces ongoing retrenchments, the business of trade unions has been under threat. ’

A Government of National Unity, the new dawn for job creation

Michael Bagraim|Published

COLUMN: ‘Over almost 10 years, in this column, I have written about how a government can intervene in ensuring that job creation is enhanced and encouraged. ’