Employers association issues lock-out against Numsa

This as a strike in the engineering and steel sector begins on Tuesday.

The metalworkers union has rejected the 4.4 percent wage increase that employer associations have offered.

It wants 8 percent for workers.

NEASA CEO Gerhard Papenfus says they have an issue with the centralised collective bargaining model.

He says businesses should determine their own wages on the basis of their financial abilities.

"We are very opposed, fundamentally opposed to the current bargaining model in the metal industry where big businesses primarily in the metros determine wages for small and medium-size enterprises with entirely different realities, different operational needs and entirely different financial abilities."

KwaZulu-Natal regional organiser of Numsa Henry Myende says employers have had a significant amount of time to revive their businesses and give employees the wages they deserve.

"The only right the employers have if they cannot afford it - they can apply for the exemption after the agreement has been signed.

"There is no company that has applied for the exemption. Anyway, you cannot apply for the exemption if there is no agreement. We will wait up until we have an agreement then, after you can apply for the exemption if you cannot afford it." 

Numsa says they are aware of the notice lock-out.