News

4 September 2020

Many of you will have seen propaganda sent out by SEIFSA (below) referring to the adoption of their agreement with the trade unions.  It’s unfortunate (although not surprising), that SEIFSA is once again, being extremely liberal with the truth in this circular.  In terms of sections 31 and 32 of the LRA, in order for an extension of an agreement to occur, the agreement needs to be adopted as an agreement of a bargaining council.  At the Manco of 1 September 2020, SEIFSA and the trade unions proposed that their agreement be formally adopted as an agreement of the MEIBC.  This did not happen.  In fact, the President of the MEIBC did not even allow the matter to go to a vote, as the negotiations which preceded the signing of their agreement did not comply with the MEIBC Constitution.  If you look very carefully, you will notice that the letter actually never says that the agreement has been adopted as an agreement of the Council (as I’ve explained, a requirement of the LRA for extension).  It talks about the fact that the parties (i.e. SEIFSA and the unions) have adopted their agreement.  Well, of course they have – it’s their agreement!  It was “adopted” the minute they agreed!  The reason why they’ve sent this circular out is to create the impression that their agreement has been adopted by the Council (which it HAS NOT) and that it may be extended - something that SAEFA and other employers organisations will not allow.

MA Negs 2020 SEIFSA and Trade Unions Adopt Stand-Still Main Agreement

23 July 2020

Through Regulations gazetted on 19 June 2020, the Carbon Tax Act, published in 2019, is starting to take effect.  This legislation may impact upon your business and so SAEFA, in conjunction with subject matter experts and consulting engineers, Yellow Tree, will be hosting a complimentary webinar for members on Thursday, 30 July 2020 at 14h00.  The webinar will cover:

1. What is Carbon Tax?
2. Who is eligible for Carbon Tax?
3. How much Carbon Tax can you expect to pay?
4. How can I reduce my Carbon Tax liability?

Should you wish to participate, please send an email to 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. with the words “Carbon Tax Webinar” in the subject line and we will send you a link to the workshop.

21 August 2020

Please see below update following the Main Agreement negotiations that took place yesterday. We have also included a memo that may be used to place on your notice boards for your employees’ attention.

Wage Negotiation Advisory No. 31

SAEFA Agreement

Notice to member company employees - 20 August 2020

22 July 2020

For your information please see link below regarding the extension of COVID-19 TERS relief payments until 15 August 2020:

http://www.labour.gov.za/employment-and-labour-ministry-announced-extension-of-covid19-relief-payments-until-august-15-in-budge-vote

6 August 2020

With many otherwise strong businesses suffering as a result of the lockdown, cashflow is more critical than ever.

SAEFA, in conjunction with Succession Capital, will be hosting a complimentary webinar for members on Thursday, 13 August 2020 at 14h00 to help you to access the cash you may need.

 The webinar will cover:

Funding in the form of trade finance, invoice or purchase order discounting, through to working capital or steel inventory finance.

M&A funding if you are considering a sale of all or part of your business, or acquiring another business.

Structures such as the sale and leaseback of commercial property can also be very successful, and SC has the appropriate relationships to facilitate those.

Raising capital through equity by accessing exceptional and diverse providers of equity capital.

Should you wish to participate, please send an email to 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. and we will send you a link to the webinar.

Please note that all discussions are strictly confidential and come with no obligations to continue.

16 July 2020

With Covid-19 infection rates on the rise, we are receiving more and more queries relating to sick leave management.  We have scheduled a webinar for next week Thursday, 23 July 2020 at 12h00 to deal with the management of all aspects of leave, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Please below for more information and to book, please complete the last page of the attachment below and return to 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..

SAEFA Covid-19 Leave Management Workshop Brochure

30 July 2020

At a CCMA-facilitated wage negotiation meeting held today, Thursday, 30 July 2020, SAEFA motivated its proposals to the parties to the MEIBC.  These were rejected by the trade unions and, shockingly, they advised SAEFA members to rather consider locking out their employees in order to achieve resolution.

The proposals were tabled by SAEFA in May this year to bring about sustainable terms and conditions of employment for employees in the industry:

1. The ability to implement wage increases on minimum rates of pay and not actual rates of pay, to allow companies to average down the cost-of-labour components of their businesses over time
2. To provide for a three-year agreement
3. The revision of the current MEIBC Exemptions Policy, to allow for a more effective and expeditious exemption process
4. To provide absolute protection against any negotiations over substantive issues from taking place at company level
5. To ensure that shifts for the purposes of calculating Leave Enhancement Pay (“Leave Bonus”) are only awarded to employees who actually report for work
6. To allow companies to, by agreement with their staff, work up to 45 hours a week at normal rates of pay
7. That annual leave be limited to 3 weeks for all new entrants  
8. The introduction of the following new entrant wage structure of R30.00 / hr at the lowest Grade, in order to:

• Slow down or stop the rate of decline in the number of job losses in the metal and engineering industry
• Create employment opportunities, particularly for young people

Read more ...

13 July 2020

Below please find the amended Level 3 Regulations:

Level 3 Regulations - 12 July 2020

Please note the following in particular:

Regulation 5(3)(a) and (b):
"(3) (a) An employer must provide every employee with a cloth facemask, home-made item, or another appropriate item that covers the nose and mouth, when in the workplace.
(b) An employer may not allow any employee to perform any duties or enter the employment premises if the employee is not wearing a cloth face mask, home made item, or another appropriate item that covers the nose and mouth while performing his or her duties.

to be read with Regulation 14(7):
(7) An employer who fails to take reasonable steps to ensure compliance with regulation 5(3)(a) or (b) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.