BL Premium reports that pizza chain Col’Cacchio, which is embroiled in a dispute with 18 franchisees over royalty fees, is to retrench head office employees as it faces an uncertain future because of the nationwide coronavirus lockdown.   Source: Latest News

In our afternoon roundup, see summaries of our selection of South African labour- related stories that appeared thus far on Wednesday, 15 April 2020. Source: Latest News

GroundUp reports that the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has dismissed an urgent application by Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) on behalf of reclaimers and waste-pickers demanding recognition as essential service workers.   Source: Latest News

News24 reports that following the exposure of staff to and subsequent contraction of Covid-19, Netcare’s Kingsway Hospital in Amanzimtoti, south of Durban, has this week been closed for new admissions, while its trauma unit has been shut down.   Source: Latest News

BusinessLive reports that according to Prof Justin Barnes, one of the chief architects of the long-term strategy for the SA motor industry, the government must amend its support for the industry if SA is to avoid being marginalised in a post-Covid-19 global motor industry.   Source: Latest News

TimesLIVE reports that four people in the military community have tested positive for the coronavirus, the surgeon-general of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) advised on Wednesday.   Source: Latest News

TimesLIVE reports that as a warder at St Albans Correctional Centre in Port Elizabeth tested positive for Covid-19, prisoners are fuming that they were only asked simple questions about their health despite some showing symptoms for the coronavirus.   Source: Latest News

BusinessLive reports that the government has failed to honour a wage agreement to increase the salaries of public sector workers, despite public service and administration minister Senzo Mchunu saying in March that it was committed to doing so.   Source: Latest News

EWN reports that according to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), it was not consulted by Impala Platinum (Implats) of the company’s plans to resume operations this week.   Source: Latest News

TimesLIVE reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) has criticised disciplinary action launched against eight emergency medical services (EMS) employees who refused to transport a Covid-19 patient.   Source: Latest News