News

South African Engineers and Founders Association

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.

4 October 2023

Unlock Success in Arbitration!

Are you ready to navigate the complex world of arbitration at the CCMA or Bargaining Council? Get the expert guidance you need at our upcoming workshop: "Preparing for an Arbitration at the CCMA or Bargaining Council."

Key Topics Covered:

The Arbitration Process:

  • Initiation
  • Preparation
  • Presentation

Arbitration by the CCMA or the Bargaining Council:

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.

4 October 2023

Please take careful note that we will be running a two-hour webinar on how to apply for an exemption from the Main Agreement’s obligation to pay Leave Enhancement Pay. The deadline for these exemptions is 31 October.  

This webinar is complimentary for SAEFA members and will cover all aspects of the exemption process (so even if you’re wishing to apply for a different exemption, you’re covered).

For further details please contact the office.

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: -

5 September 2023

 

In a media release of 30 August 2023, the Department of Employment and Labour stated that although President Cyril Ramaphosa had, on 6 April 2023, signed the amended Employment Equity Act (EEA) into law, it is not yet effective – hence employers will be expected to report on their 2023 obligations using the current legislation, Department of Employment and Labour Director of Employment Equity advised employers.

The 2023 EE reporting season opened last Friday (1 September 2023) for both manual and online reporting.  In terms of reporting timeframes, the manual reporting will close on 2 October 2023 and the online reporting closes on 15 January 2024.

To learn more about the Employment Equity Act and its impact on your business, book your place on our workshop, Effective Implementation of the Employment Equity Act being held on 20 September 2023.  Alternatively, email us to discuss in-house training options with regard to plans, committee establishment and the scheduling of committee meetings and what is required of them: 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.

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:

7 August 2023

Please see below an advisory note on Working in Time Arrangements, for any members that are contemplating working in time for Women’s Day, on Wednesday 9 August 2023:

Working In Time Arrangements 9 August 2023