News 09:00

BULLETIN 10 April 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Solidarity expects tough wage negotiations in the metals and engineering sector
# The FF Plus is pleased with minister De Lille’s support for a tourism initiative
# And Biden criticises Netanyahu’s approach to the war with Hamas

# Solidarity says it expects wage negotiations at the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council to be challenging, because of an agreement that was reached during the Covid-19 pandemic period. In terms of that agreement, salary increases were only calculated on the minimum salary scales per job grade, which disadvantages mostly skilled employees on the higher scales. Solidarity says employers now want to continue this practice, which the six trade unions involved will oppose. The negotiations get underway in Boksburg today.

# The Freedom Front Plus says Tourism minister, Patricia de Lille, fully supports its initiative to boost organised tourism on a local level and in rural areas. Last year the party launched the initiative to unlock the potential of local tourism. More than 50 potential tourism corridors will be established across the country following the successful formation of the Vaal Corridor Tourism Association. FF Plus’, Michal Groenewald, says the minister recognises local tourism’s positive contribution to improving the country:

# The DA in Johannesburg says entities like Johannesburg Water and ultimately the city management are failing residents by not following up on their service delivery mandate. This comes after a four-year-old boy drowned after falling into a flooded hole dug by Joburg Water in the Clay Oven informal settlement. The DA’s Vino Reddy says this tragedy could have been avoided if the water entity had followed through and backfilled the hole.

# US president Joe Biden says Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to the conflict in Gaza is a mistake. There have been growing tensions over the civilian death toll from Israel’s war on Hamas and the dire conditions inside Gaza. Netanyahu has vowed that the war will continue until Hamas is defeated. Biden has called for Israel to agree to a ceasefire, adding that there is no excuse for not sending in humanitarian aid to Gaza.

# Soccer: Manchester City played to a three-all draw against Real Madrid in their Champions League quarterfinal first-leg tie at the Bernabeu. A 71-minute strike from Josko Gvardiol looked to have secured a dramatic two-three win for Pep Guardiola’s side, but Federico Valverde’s goal in the 79th minute levelled the game to leave the tie in the balance. Meanwhile, at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal and Bayern Munich drew two-all in their quarterfinal tie. Guardiola says he will take the draw:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-44-cents and the euro at 20-rand-2-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-39-cents and Bitcoin trades at 69-thousand-44-dollars-83-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-355-dollars-27-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 89-dollars-45-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….