Engineering News reports that about 70,000 clothing workers, most of whom are members of the Cosatu-affiliated Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu), will receive a 4.2% average wage increase as from 1 September.

This will be the second wage increase for South African clothing workers this year. The previous wage increase of about 3.7% came into force on 1 March. These wage increases are the result of a variation to a collective agreement which was concluded late last year, between Sactwu and the Apparel & Textile Association of SA, the SA Apparel Association and the Transvaal Clothing Manufacturers Association. The agreement was concluded under the auspices of the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry. “We hope that this additional wage increase, which comes into effect tomorrow (Wednesday), will bring welcome relief for clothing workers, who are predominantly women,” commented Sactwu general secretary André Kriel.

• Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Engineering News

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