Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – Trade union NULAW accepted the employer's offer of a 7% increase on wages and an increase on the holiday bonus from 6 days’ pay to 7 days’ pay, Gerald Naidoo, general secretary of the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry of SA, said on Friday. Rival union SACTWU “will consult with their members and revert by Tuesday, 14 May, to indicate if the offer is accepted or not”, he said. 

Cape Town, W. Cape, SA – In response to criticism that the R-CTFL Masterplan has not delivered benefits for footwear manufacturing, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel, who attended the virtual PMO core meeting last week, asked the footwear representatives, representing SAFLIA and SAFLEC, to compile a full list of footwear manufacturers in time for a meeting this week, with a view to setting up meetings with chain retailers. 

Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA – Fashion group Dangee Carken is launching a PPE division.

An initial range of imported safety footwear and locally made workwear, branded GrittGear, will launch in October.

Director Robby Stoller said the group had been working on the project for over 6 months. He said an industry specialist would be joining.

He said the intention was that over time, the division would cover the full spectrum of PPE. A website, www.grittgear.co.za, has been set up. 

The application to resurrect 4Tify Africa – formerly North Safety – and other subsidiaries of African Boomerang Holdings, was withdrawn following the death in March of former CEO Craig Garvie, attorney Kobus van Niekerk, of JI van Niekerk Inc., has confirmed.

“The business rescue applications were withdrawn,” he wrote. “The liquidations will thus proceed.” 

Umhlanga, KZN, SA – Following an investigation by SAFLIA, Chinese online retailer Temu said after last week’s report that it had withdrawn all safety footwear from its South African portal.

SAFLIA found that Temu’s safety footwear didn’t comply with the marking and certification requirements for safety footwear in South Africa, which is regulated by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS).

Following our report last Monday, Temu said in an email: “After thorough review, we have taken the necessary steps to remove the item in question.”

Earlier, it had said that its legal team checked legal requirements in all markets it serves.

Although Temu still offers a wide range of ‘work’ shoes, none state that they have protective toecaps.

SAFLIA executive director Jirka Vymĕtal said this morning that the organisation was following up on safety footwear offered on a similar site.

“I’m pleased we’ve stopped this source of noncompliant safety footwear, which undercut legal safety footwear in part because it didn’t have to follow NRCS regulations,” he said. “We intend to shut down all similar sources.

“I’d also like to point out that Temu’s ‘work’ shoes claim to be oil-resistant, waterproof and nonslip – this statement is somewhat questionable as it falls under their category of ‘Work & Safety Shoes’ in both the men’s & women’s categories. Perhaps this also needs looking into.

“My understanding is that any footwear claiming safety needs the necessary accreditation markings, certification etc. Hence the questionability of this link below, which states: ‘Men's Solid Slip-On Oil Proof Chef Shoes, Comfy Non-Slip Casual Safety Shoes For Men's Outdoor Activities’.