Above-inflation wage increase for textile workers

File picture: Cindy Waxa

File picture: Cindy Waxa

Published Aug 29, 2016

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Johannesburg - Workers in the domestic clothing and textile industry have clinched an above inflation 8.5% wage increase amid tough economic conditions in the country and globally.

The Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu) secured the two year deal for workers following months of negotiations with employers.

The union said in a statement it would also request the Labour Minister to extend it to whole industry.

Sactwu general secretary, Andre Kriel said the agreement that was fascinated by the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry included improved sick leave provisions for workers and shop stewards’ paid time off.

“For the first year, a package increase of 8.5% will become effective, on 1st September this year. Of this, 8% will be allocated to increase the industry minimum wage and 0.5% will be used to improve the employer provident fund contributions,” the union said.

The second year of the deal will see workers receive an increase of CPI plus 1% with conditions attached.

“This is provided that in the event of CPI plus 1% resulting in the total labour cost increase being less than the rand value increase for 2016, the adjustment for next year will be the rand equivalent of the 2016 total labour cost increase. Should CPI plus 1% in 2017 exceed this, the parties shall renegotiate the total labour cost quantum.”

The wage agreement will benefit 80 000 clothing workers across the country who are mainly women.

In the statement, the union said the increases were also meant to honour women during their month, this August.

@ThetoThakane

Labour Bureau

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