The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) have finalised a three-year wage agreement for the metals and engineering sector, effective from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027. The wage increases will be based on minimum rates per grade, with Rate A (higher-skilled or more senior positions) receiving a 6% increase and Rate H (lower-skilled or entry-level positions) a 7% increase in the first year. In the following two years, Rate A will receive 5% and Rate H 6%. The agreement includes provisions for exemptions to support small and medium-sized enterprises. Both Seifsa and Numsa have also committed to addressing housing access for industry workers and developing an industrial policy framework to support public infrastructure and economic growth. However, the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa) criticised the agreement for not addressing the industry’s decline and being overly demanding, potentially stifling job creation.
