BL Premium reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and companies in the pharmaceutical sector have signed a two-year wage agreement.
The deal will see the sector’s 10,000 workers getting an increase of 5.5% from 1 July 2025, which will rise to 6% from January 2026. Another increase of 5.5% will apply from July 2026, increasing to 6% from January 2027. Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said other benefits contained in the wage agreement included the extension of maternity leave from four to six months. “Workers will now receive 75% of their basic salary for the first four months, up from a mere 45% for six months previously,” she indicated. The agreement will be extended to non-party employers to ensure broader protection for workers across the sector. “This victory is not just a win at the bargaining table, it is a testament to Numsa’s militant commitment to improving the lives of workers and their families. It reflects our 2013 resolution to expand our organising efforts beyond traditional sectors, and we are proud to see that vision materialize,” Hlubi-Majola commented.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
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