SACTWU SETTLES BLANKET TEXTILE SECTOR WAGE NEGOTIATIONS WITH A 7% - 9.11% INCREASE

[Nazmia Leite]

Date:   24 JULY 2022

 

Media Release: Immediate

 

SACTWU SETTLES BLANKET TEXTILE SECTOR WAGE NEGOTIATIONS WITH  A 7% - 9.11%  INCREASE

 

The COSATU-affiliated Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) has now also settled its 2022 wage negotiations in the Blankets textile sector. 

 

It was settled after three rounds of negotiations.  

 

The new wage increase for SACTWU's Blanket textile sector members will come into effect on 1 August 2022, which is the normal implementation date.

 

The signature processes for the written wage agreement for this new Blanket textile sector wage settlement were completed on Friday, 22 July 2022.

 

This new collective agreement for the Blanket textile sector is a 2-year agreement, effective from 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2024.

 

It provides for wage increases of between 7% and 9.11%, as follows:

 

•         For the Metro areas, an increase of 7% for each of the 2 years of the agreement;

•         For the Non-metro areas, an increase of 9,05% for the first year and 9,11% for the second year.

 

This new collective agreement was successfully concluded under the dispute processes and procedures of the National Textile Bargaining Council (NTBC), with employers represented by the South African Blankets Manufacturers' Employers Organisation (SABMEO). 

 

In addition to the wage increases, this Blanket textile sector agreement also provides for the following improvements, amongst others:

 

•         The equalisation of wages between metro and non-metro areas over the period of the agreement;

 

•         A minimum period of three months’ work for workers employed on a contract, but not linked to short time or retrenchments.

 

•         COVID-19 vaccination to remain voluntary in the sector unless the Department of Employment & Labour introduces non-variable legislation (beyond the employers' control) which makes vaccination compulsory.

 

Negotiations in this sector commenced on the 5th of  May 2022.

 

Final agreement was confirmed on Thursday 21 July 2022.

 

This now signed new collective agreement for the Blanket textile sector will be submitted to the Minister of Employment & Labour, with a request for its gazettal and extension to non-party employers.

 

Issued by

 

Andre Kriel

SACTWU

General Secretary

 

If further comment is required please contact SACTWU’s National Sector Co-ordinator for the Blanket textile sector, SACTWU's Gauteng Provincial Organiser, Mr Oupa Hadebe, on cell number 081 793 2746