SACTWU's 2021 TEXTILE WAGE INCREASES BECOME LAW
Nazmia Leite
Date: 26 August 2021
Media release: immediate
SACTWU's 2021 TEXTILE WAGE INCREASES BECOME LAW
The textile industry wage increases which the Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU) has negotiated this year, are now national law in South Africa.
This is so because the Minister of Employment & Labour, Thulas Nxesi, has gazetted it and extended it to all non-party companies in our country.
This process was finalised in a government gazette, which was published on 24th August 2021.
In simple terms, it means that our trade union's wage increases for the various textile sub-sectors which fall within the registered scope of the National Textile Bargaining Council (NTBC), are now binding on all employers and workers operating in these sectors.
It is applicable nationally, for all parts of South Africa.
The textile sub-sectors covered includes workers who manufacture home textiles (such as curtains and bedding), blankets, yarns for the manufacture of fabrics, labels and elastics which go into clothing, fabrics, and industrial textiles for roadworks, etc..
SACTWU welcomes this gazettal development as a major step forward for the protection of our 2021 collective bargaining outcomes, and hence of our members' Living Wage goals and aspiration.
We will now conduct a detailed audit to ensure that every textile company which is covered by these wage increases, actually implement them to the fullest.
Issued by
André Kriel
SACTWU
GENERAL SECRETARY
If further information or comment is required, kindly contact SACTWU's National Collective Bargaining Officer, Fachmy Abrahams, on cell number 081 462 5841.
Fachmy Abrahams
31 August 2021
Media Release: immediate
A WOMEN'S MONTH PRESENT FOR CLOTHING WORKERS: SACTWU SECURES 2nd WAGE INCREASE FOR THE YEAR
Approximately 70 000 clothing workers in South Africa, most who are members of the COSATU-affiliated Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU), will receive a 4.2% average wage increase as from 1 September 2021.
This is the second wage increase for South African clothing workers this year.
The previous wage increase of an 3.7% average came into force and effect on 1 March this year.
These wage increases is a result of a variation collective agreement which was concluded late last year, between SACTWU and the following 3 employer associations: Apparel & Textile Association of South Africa (ATASA), South African Apparel Association (SAAA) and the Transvaal Clothing Manufacturers Association (TCMA).
The agreement was concluded under the auspices of the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry.
We hope that this additional wage increase which comes into effect tomorrow will bring welcome relief for clothing workers, who are predominantly women.
It is fitting that it comes at the conclusion of Women’s Month, under very difficult COVID-19 pandemic conditions.
Issued by
André Kriel
SACTWU
GENERAL SECRETARY
If further comments or information are required, please contact SACTWU 1st National Organising Secretary and Clothing Sector Chief Negotiator, Bonita Loubser, on cell number 082 800 7142.