BUSINESS EDGE JULY 2025
This newsletter highlights the latest statutory amendments and ancillary developments relevant to the SERR Synergy legal compliance products and services. It aims to keep businesses informed of key regulatory changes to ensure ongoing compliance and mitigate legal risks.
- BROAD-BASED BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
- EMPLOYMENT EQUITY
Department of Communications and Digital Technologies
The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies published the Proposed Policy Direction to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa on Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) and invited public comment on the direction until 22 June 2025. The proposed policy aims to ease regulatory obstacles to investment in reliable broadband and to ensure access to the internet. These proposed amendments relate to Equity Equivalent Investment Programmes as alternative initiatives to black ownership, which had received wide media coverage, especially in light of Starlink’s application to operate in South Africa.
Sectoral Numerical Targets and Employment Equity Regulations
In addition to the new Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA) (Act No. 4 of 2022) becoming effective on 1 January 2025, the final 5-Year Sectoral Numerical Targets for the 18 industries or national economic sectors were published together with the Employment Equity Regulations, 2025, effective from 15 April 2025. These publications are of importance as the Employment Equity Reporting season commences on 1 September 2025. The final targets differ from the previous versions published because the drafts had received wide criticism.
There has been some pushback from the business community in the form of court challenges to the above amendments as reported in the media. However, until the court concludes on the opposing legal action, the EEAA, Sectoral Targets and Regulations remain effective and compulsory for designated employers.
Employment Equity Public Register
The Employment Equity Public Register published in May 2025 by the Department of Employment and Labour lists the designated employers that reported for the 2024 reporting cycle.
Registration and deregistration of Trade Unions
The Department of Employment and Labour announced the registration of several trade unions and cancelled the registration of multiple other trade unions. The cancellation means that these organisations are removed from the Register of Trade Unions.
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Trade Union
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Registration date of Trade Union |
Cancellation date of Trade Union’s registration |
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All Sectors and Allied Workers Union of South Africa |
23 May 2025 |
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South African Workers Union Ya Bashumi |
16 May 2025 |
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South Africa is Not For Sale Workers Union |
9 May 2025 |
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Metal Mining and Allied Workers Union of South Africa |
17 March 2025 |
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South African Labour Activists Trade Union |
17 February 2025 |
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BAWASI Agricultural Workers Union of South Africa |
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31 March 2025 |
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Democratic Union of Security Workers |
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17 March 2025 |
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Hospitality Catering and Farm Workers Union |
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20 February 2025 |
Bargaining Council Collective Agreement information
Listed below are the Bargaining Council Collective Agreements that have been extended and/or were extended to Non-Parties:
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Bargaining Council Collective Agreements |
Date on which Collective Agreements were extended to Non-Parties |
Date on which Collective Agreements were extended / renewed |
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The Main Collective Agreement of the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry |
31 August 2028 |
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The Main Collective Amending Agreement of the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry |
28 February 2027 |
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The Main Collective Amending Agreement of the Furniture Bargaining Council |
30 April 2028 |
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The Amending Administrative Collective Agreement of the Motor Industry Bargaining Council |
31 August 2025
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The Conditions of Employment Collective Agreement and the Wage and Task Grade Collective Agreement of the Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry |
31 August 2025 |
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The Main Collective Agreement of the Bargaining Council for the Food Retail, Restaurant, Catering and Allied Trades |
28 February 2026 |
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The Collective Bargaining Fee Collective Agreement of the Furniture Bargaining Council |
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30 April 2026 |
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The Registration and Administration Expenses Collective Agreement and the Dispute Resolution Collective Agreement of the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council |
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April 2026 |
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The Dispute Resolution Levy and Registration of Employers Collective Agreement of the National Bargaining Council for the Wood and Paper Sector |
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March 2026 |
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The Dispute Resolution Levy and Registration of Employers Collective Agreement of the National Bargaining Council for the Wood and Paper Sector |
30 September 2025 |
The extension of the various Bargaining Council Collective Agreements to Non-Parties means that other employers and employees working in the same or a similar industry are also bound by the provisions of the applicable Collective Agreement until the date specified in the Government Gazette.
Bargaining Council developments
Bargaining Council for the Furniture Manufacturing Industry of the Cape Provinces
The Bargaining Council for the Furniture Manufacturing Industry of the Western Cape resolved to change its name to the Bargaining Council for the Furniture Manufacturing Industry of the Cape Provinces with effect from 6 March 2025.
For ease of reference, please find below a summary with links to our recently published blogs:
- Flammable Liquid Safety: Key Practices for South African Businesses (17 July 2025)
- Workplace Safety Procedure: A Strategic Imperative for South African Businesses (13 June 2025)
- Maintaining a Letter of Good Standing while managing a large Workmen Compensation Bill (15 May 2025)
- Working at heights, fall protection & ladder safety (25 April 2025)
- Employment Equity Act: Anomalies between national and provincial EAP targets (2 April 2025)
- Affirmative action requirements set by the Employment Equity Act (EEA) (19 March 2025)
- Employer duties imposed by the EEA and sanctions for non-compliance (6 March 2025)
We are committed to providing our clients with the best service at all times and to investigate all possible avenues to improve our service offering to clients to accommodate their individual needs. Please e-mail any suggestions to communications@serr.co.za.