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All systems go for March civils negotiations – bargaining council

NICK FASSEN The Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry wants to create fair and equal opportunities for all stakeholders

LOCALISATION Government stipulates that contactors must employ and empower local workers for all infrastructure development projects

13th February 2015

By: Pimani Baloyi

Creamer Media Writer

  

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All the necessary processes are in place to begin this year’s wage negotiations for the civil engineering industry, says Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI) general secretary Nick Faasen.

He tells Engineering News that the deadline for the submission of wage submissions from employer organisations, trade unions and all other stakeholders is February 27.

“We decided to no longer hold wage submission workshops for nonparty companies, as was initially planned for January and February. Instead, we decided to send a circular to all nonparty stakeholders inviting them to submit their offers by the end of February in preparation for the first round of wage negotiations, which has been scheduled for March 4,” he explains.

Faasen highlights that the council has recruited renowned wage negotiation facilitator advocate Avsal Mosam to facilitate the negotiations. Some of Mosam’s latest work includes overseeing talks between platinum mining major Lonmin and its employees.

The council has planned five rounds of negotiations, spanning March to mid-June. A final offer will be submitted to the Department of Labour (DoL) on June 30, after which the department has 60 days to consider, approve and promulgate the agreement, plus an additional 21 days for public comment.
Sector Statistics
It is difficult to quantify the civil engineering industry’s contribution to the country’s employment rate, says Faasen, explaining that, prior to the formation of the council in 2012, there had not been an organisation dedicated to monitoring the employment statistics of the industry.

Further, he avers that data from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) is often outdated and inaccurate.

“As a result, we worked with a reputable information technology developer to create a database of companies, employees and trade unions operating in South Africa’s civil engineering industry,” says Faasen, adding that the database became accessible last month.

He highlights that the biggest problem facing those who have tried to acquire accurate data on the industry – and why he maintains that Stats SA’s figures are inaccurate – is that nobody knows exactly how big the civil engineering industry is.

“The industry uses limited-duration-contract (LDC) employees, as government stipulates that, with every infrastructure project, contractors must employ, empower and train locals to do the work. This means that, with every contract, a contractor has only a limited number of full-time employees, while the majority of workers comprise LDC local employees for either the duration of the project or for as long as their services are required.”

Faasen adds that the ratio of LDC to permanent employees is also unknown and that, when he was first appointed as general secretary of the council, there were reportedly about 40% LDC and 60% full-time employees. However, Faasen says it later became clear to him that the ratio was closer to between 60% and 65% LDC employees and between 35% and 40% permanent employees.

About the BCCEI
The council was registered by the DoL in December 2012 and Faasen assumed the role of general secretary in June 2013.

He tells Engineering News that his vision for the council is to create a “level playing field in the industry” through enabling terms and conditions of employment, establishing minimum wages and prioritising equal social benefits for everyone in the industry.

The council, which is funded through a mandated administration and dispute levy by all members, exempts smaller companies from becoming members and being bound by agreements reached by the council.

“A particular benefit of the BCCEI is that it offers an industry provident fund, funeral benefits for LDC employees and voluntary medical aid,” Faasen concludes.

Edited by Samantha Herbst
Creamer Media Deputy Editor

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