BRENTWOOD

2017-08-23

New Main Agreement – No strike for the Metal Industries, but increases are backdated.

Today employers’ groups and trade unions in the Metal and Engineering Industry signed a 3-year Settlement Agreement, averting any protected strike action. [Read More…]

2017-08-22

17 companies investigated on BBBEE Fronting allegations

Investigations have been initiated by the BBBEE Commission against 17 firms for possible fronting practices.

The commission is investigating certain BBBEE transactions; schemes; trusts; ownership and management control requirements; BBBEE certificates’ validity; and tenders issued to non-compliant companies, as well as the conduct of verification agencies.

The companies the commission aimed to probe included MTN Group; Nokia Solutions and Networks South Africa; Netcare; Eskom; Dust-a-Side Holdings and Dust-a-Side Partnership; Net Value Holdings; WorleyParsons RSA; South African Social Security Agency; Tempest Fire; Forklift Parts World; and Altius Trading 40.

Verification Agencies, issuing BBBEE certificates, are also under investigation, specifically BEE Matrix and Marissimo BEE Professional Verification and Services, which are being investigated for providing advice to verification clients.  National Empowerment Rating Agency (NERA), Empowerlogic, Premier Verification and AQRate Verification Agency’s ownership structures are under investigation, as well their conduct in accordance with the BBBEE Act.

If found to have violated the BBBEE Act, the entities may be referred for prosecution and exposed to a fine of up to 10% of the entity’s yearly turnover and the individuals involved can be fined or imprisoned for up to ten years.  In addition, they could be excluded from doing business with the government for up to 10 years, and all current contract cancelled.

Metal Industry wage negotiations settled

The 01 July 2017 - 30 June 2020 settlement agreement will be signed and endorsed by SEIFSA and the unions at a signing ceremony tomorrow.  There is, as yet, no information about the details of the settlement agreement, but the last details regarding the negotiations were:

- A three year agreement from 01 July 2017 - 30 June 2020. [Read More…]

6 JSE-listed companies to be prosecuted for Employment Equity non-compliance.

The Department of Labour is taking 6 JSE-listed companies to court for prosecution for failure to prepare employment equity plans as per the Employment Equity Act, and annually submitting their Employment Equity reports on those non-existent plans.  This, the Department states, amounts to misrepresentation. [Read More…]

2017-08-03

Metal Industries strike might be averted today

Trade unions and most employers’ organisations are close to a deal which would end the negotiations in the Metal Industry, and avert the dreaded strike.  The majority of employers and all the unions will meet today to finalise a proposed settlement that is currently on the table. [Read More…]