The country’s 13,000 workers employed in the glass sector will receive above-inflation wage increases after union Numsa clinched a two-year wage deal with employers this week.
The wage agreement with the Glass Industry Employers Association will see employees receiving a 5.5% wage increase in 2025 and 6% in 2026. The inflation rate is hovering at about 3%.
According to market intelligence platform ReportLinker, SA is set to become a major player in the global glass market, with imports expected to reach $321.6m by 2026, an increase of 1.3% compared to 2021.
“Since 2005, SA demand has grown by an average of 3.3% year on year. In 2021, the country ranked 40th, with Finland in the lead at $297m. China, Germany and France followed at numbers two, three and four, respectively. Exports of SA glass are estimated to reach $188.3m by 2026, with a growth rate of 1% year on year.
"Since 2005, SA supply has increased by 3.2% year on year. In 2021, SA was ranked 43rd, with Colombia in the lead at $177m. Germany, the US and France followed at numbers two, three and four, respectively."
Meanwhile, SA’s glass recycling industry injects more than R300m into the economy, according to The Glass Recycling Company.
Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, spokesperson of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), said the pay deal would be extended to nonparties, to ensure “the gains reach every employee. The agreement is from July 1 and expires on June 2027”.
The pay deal will see the minimum wage per month increase from R8,700 to R9,300 during the two-year period.
“This deal sets a new standard in the glass sector and sends a clear message: when workers unite, we win,” Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said.
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