S African textile workers to get average wage rise of 5.2% from Aug 1

21 Jun '21

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

The Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers' Union (SACTWU) has settled its 2021 wage negotiations for the country’s textile sector to provide for a 4.77 per cent wage increase for metro areas, and 6.66 per cent for non-metro areas. The average increase for both areas is 5.2 per cent, which will be effective from August 1 this year.

SACTWU, affiliated with Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), signed an agreement with the South African Blankets Manufacturing Employers' Organisation (SABMEO) on June 9, 2021, the organisation said in a press release.

The negotiations were conducted on hybrid virtual platform, under the auspices 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 August 1 next year.

“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,” SACTWU said in the release.

In addition, the parties have agreed to a provision wherein all employers in the sector need to assist with the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)