Visa Extensions for Lesotho and Zimbabwe Nationals: What Employers Need to Know

Visa Extensions for Lesotho and Zimbabwe Nationals: What Employers Need to Know

The Minister of Home Affairs has recently announced important extensions affecting foreign nationals working in South Africa. Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEPs) have been extended until 28 November 2025, following the earlier extension granted to Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders. While these extensions provide temporary relief for certain groups, they leave significant questions unanswered for other…

Breaking News: Employment Equity Amendment Act Coming into Effect January 2025

Breaking News: Employment Equity Amendment Act Coming into Effect January 2025

The Department of Employment and Labour has officially announced that critical amendments to the Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEA) will come into effect on 1 January 2025. These changes bring significant updates to compliance requirements and introduce new obligations for employers across South Africa. — What Are the Key Changes?    The amendments to the Employment…

Why Submitting a WSP/ATR is Beneficial for Your Business

Why Submitting a WSP/ATR is Beneficial for Your Business

Completing your Workplace Skills Plan (WSP) and Annual Training Report (ATR) might seem like just another compliance requirement. However, these submissions offer meaningful benefits that go far beyond regulatory obligations. With the right approach, WSP/ATR submissions can help your business reclaim a portion of your Skills Development Levy (SDL), improve your B-BBEE score, and enhance…

Minimum Wage in 2025: What South African Employers Need to Know

Minimum Wage in 2025: What South African Employers Need to Know

As 2025 approaches, businesses must prepare for anticipated changes to South Africa’s National Minimum Wage (NMW). The NMW is adjusted annually to account for inflation, cost of living, and economic conditions, ensuring workers are paid fairly. Employers should stay informed to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. Expected Minimum Wage Changes  The minimum wage for 2025…

Work Permits and Insurance Claims: A Critical Issue for Employers with Foreign Truck Drivers

Work Permits and Insurance Claims: A Critical Issue for Employers with Foreign Truck Drivers

Recent developments highlight a growing issue for employers in South Africa’s logistics industry: Insurers have begun enforcing stricter policies, which require that all foreign drivers have valid work permits for any claims to be processed. The Risks of Non-Compliance  If a foreign driver is involved in an accident or any other event that would typically…

Understanding the MIBFA Two-Pot System for Pension and Provident Funds

Understanding the MIBFA Two-Pot System for Pension and Provident Funds

The new two-pot system is set to launch on 1 September 2024. Because many of our clients fall within the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC), we thought to share some information on how this will work. The two-pot system aims to provide financial relief to members in financial distress by allowing partial cash…

Important Updates on POPIA Re-Registration and PAIA Report Submission

Important Updates on POPIA Re-Registration and PAIA Report Submission

On 22 April 2024, the Information Regulator published a notice (‘the notice’) to all private and public bodies, reminding them to, in compliance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), submit their annual PAIA reports. These Reports inform the Information Regulator of the number, type and outcomes of access to information requests received…

Navigating Substance Policies in the Workplace: Lessons from a Landmark Case 

Navigating Substance Policies in the Workplace: Lessons from a Landmark Case 

In today’s workplace, many employers adopt a strict approach towards the use of alcohol and other intoxicating substances by their employees. However, some policies extend to prohibit the mere presence of these substances in an employee’s system, even if consumed outside of work hours. But is this fair? A recent case involving cannabis use sheds…

2024 Metal and Engineering Industry (MEIBC) negotiations finalised

2024 Metal and Engineering Industry (MEIBC) negotiations finalised

After only three formal engagements, certain affiliated employer’s organisations have concluded a three-year wage agreement for the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027, with NUMSA.  The affiliated employer’s organisations that were part of the agreement accounts for about 57% of all employees who are employed within the scope of the council, and NUMSA…

Metal and Engineering Bargaining Council (MEIBC) Wage Negotiations progress 

Metal and Engineering Bargaining Council (MEIBC) Wage Negotiations progress 

 8 May 2024  The metal and engineering sector negotiations kicked off between employer and union stakeholders in February this year, when more than 20 employer’s organisations affiliated with this sector met with their union counterparts to negotiate the conditions for the extension of the MEIBC Main Agreement. The parties have, in the last three decades,…