In 2021, The Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) has settled its wage negotiations for the country’s textile sector to provide for a 4.77 percent wage increase for metro areas, and 6.66 percent for non-metro areas. For both areas, the average increase is 5.2 percent and that will be operative from 1 August.
SACTWU, affiliated with Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). On 9 June 2021, they signed an agreement with the South African Blankets Manufacturing Employers’ Organization (SABMEO), in a press release SACTWU said that.
The negotiations were conducted on the hybrid virtual platform, under the support of the National Textile Bargaining Council (NTBC).
The wage increase will be applicable for a 12-month period from August 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022. Fresh negotiations will be held in early 2022, to determine the new wages from 1 August next year.
SACTWU said in the release, “While we are mindful that future inflationary movements are currently volatile, SACTWU is pleased that it has managed to secure a wage increase for our members which at this stage is higher than inflation and under very difficult COVID-19 pandemic conditions.”
Moreover, the parties have agreed to a provision. At the same time, all employers in the sector should assist in the promotion of COVID-19 vaccination.
