Welcome

South African Engineers and Founders Association

The SA Engineers and Founders Association (SAEFA) represents the interests of hundreds of member companies in the metal and engineering industry. These companies range in size from very small employers to large multinational organisations. SAEFA not only offers a wide range of direct services to member companies but also represents the interests of our members at both industry and national levels. 

SAEFA’s direct services to member companies, available at a reduced fee to these companies compared to what a non-member company would pay in the market, include assistance on all matters affecting the relationship between themselves and their employees/trade unions – for example:

  • Dispute resolution, conciliation, mediation and arbitration services 
  • Advice, assistance, consultancy and training on labour legislation, employment conditions and all other Industrial Relations matters
  • Assistance is also provided with health and safety matters, broad-based black economic empowerment, contract price adjustments and skills development through our affiliate organisations

For full information on these services contact SAEFA’s Executive Director, Gordon Angus, at gordon@saefa.co.za. 

SAEFA also represents the interests of our member companies in all industry negotiations with the industry’s trade unions, not only on wages and other conditions of employment but also on the industry’s benefit funds which provide benefits to employees such as pensions, permanent disability and sick pay benefits. SAEFA has its own seats at the MEIBC, participating directly in all activities there.

Being a member of SAEFA allows you to have a direct say in what happens in your industry.

 

News

Annual shutdown arrangements 2023

4 December 2023

Below is a brief which deals with the annual shutdown for 2023 for scheduled employees.

Annual Shutdown Arrangements 2023

Please contact us with any queries.

Main Agreement Workshop - 15 November 2023

30 October 2023

Last year, the Main Agreement was extended to non-party employers, including members of SAEFA.  Whilst every effort will be made to challenge this extension, until such time as we successfully overturn the extension, the Main Agreement is applicable to all scheduled employees on the shop floor. 

On Wednesday, 15 November 2023, SAEFA, in conjunction with Gordon Angus and Associates, will be guiding members through the contents of the agreement and its practical implementation on your shop floor.  This seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of the agreement, breaking down the key provisions and explaining their implications for your business.  SAEFA’s Executive Director, Gordon Angus, will share all of his knowledge and real-world experiences, providing practical insights and guidance that you can take back to your workplace.  With an engaging and highly interactive format, this seminar is a must-attend event for anyone looking to stay informed and ahead of the curve in the metal and engineering industry. 

Included in the presentation will be guidance on how to prepare for the annual shutdown in December, including the accumulating and allocating of shifts and calculating of Leave Pay and Leave Enhancement Pay. The implications of the Van Wyk judgement on the maternity/partental leave provisions will also be discussed.

For more information or to book please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that all of our training courses are available in-house.

Maternity and Parental Leave Provisions Unconstitutional

26 October 2023

Judgment has been handed down in Van Wyk and Others v Minister of Employment and Labour (2022-017842) [2023] ZAGPJHC 1213, whereby maternity leave and parental leave provisions in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and UIF Act have been ruled invalid, as they conflict with the Constitution.  Although the invalidity has been suspended for two years to allow Parliament to amend the offending legislation, an interim order has been made (included below).  The immediate effect of the judgment is, inter alia, that both parents are now entitled to at least four months’ parental leave, which may be shared between them. There are further implications insofar the adoption of children and commissioning parental leave is concerned.  The full judgment is attached.  The full implications of the judgment will be shared as they become apparent.

ORDER 

(1)  It is declared that the provisions of sections 25, 25A, 25B and 25C of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act no 75 of 1997 (BCEA), and the corresponding provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Fund Act no 63 of 2001 (UIF Act), sections 24, 26A, 27, 29A, are invalid by reason of inconsistency with sections 9 and 10 of the Constitution, to the extent that the provisions: -

Unlock BBBEE Ownership Points without Giving Up Business Shares

26 October 2023

We understand that achieving maximum BBBEE Ownership points is of paramount importance to your business.  To that end, we are pleased to introduce you to an innovative solution that allows you to qualify for these points into perpetuity without relinquishing any shares in your operating business.

The Sale & Leaseback Opportunity with a Majority Black Female Youth Owned BEE Fund:

You have the opportunity to qualify for maximum BEE Ownership points while maintaining full control of your business.  This unique solution entails entering into a Sale & Leaseback agreement with a majority Black Female Youth owned BEE fund that has made a significant qualifying investment under Section 102 of the BBBEE Act.  This section pertains to the sale of assets, equity instruments, and other businesses, and it provides a robust foundation for a mutually beneficial partnership.

A Practical Example: