The South African metal industry’s four year wage and conditions of employment contract expires on June 30th and union bosses have already commenced negotiations to get a new agreement in place that will see worker’s wages rise.

The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of SA is negotiating with six unions over the new contract, with unions demanding a 20% wage increase in addition to a 12 month agreement, the banning of labour brokers, paid time off for training and an increase in shift allowances.

No offer has yet been made and the unions claim that their main concern is the survival of the industry.

“The sector’s social partners cannot rely on economic growth alone to create jobs, but will have to roll up their sleeves and find their own unique mechanisms to create additional sustainable jobs within the metal industry,” the federation commented.