The long-term import replacement and infrastructural development
strategies implemented at the time still benefit South Africa today. A
good example is the motor industry. Today’s booming automotive
vehicle and components manufacturing industry was conceived in 1960
when the then Minister of Economic Affairs asked the Board of Trade
and Industries to look into ways of stepping up local content.
The “build the economy” policy brought unprecedented spin-offs for
the metal and engineering industry, which forged ahead at an average
12% during the mid-Sixties. The workforce grew rapidly to 265 000.
SEIFSA’s growth mirrored the industry’s advances. By 1966, the Federation
comprised 41 autonomous employer Associations representing more
than 1 600 firms. The head office was in Johannesburg, with a regional
presence in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and
Bloemfontein. The Associations were charged with negotiating wages
and employment conditions with the trade unions.
Industrial progress brought new demands on the Federation and, as a result,
divisions were set up to deal with labour, economics, education and training,
and administration.
In 1965 the Metal Industries Medical Aid Fund was launched mainly for skilled
employees, and in the following year the Metal Industries Group Pension
Fund was established as a non-contributory scheme mainly for unskilled
employees.
The shortage of skilled labour was an abiding problem. With the formation
of the National Industrial Council for the industry, control of apprenticeship
training became a national function under the National Apprenticeship
Board. Trade union and employer representation on the board was bolstered
by members with special expertise.
By the end of 1966, some 28 000 artisans and 6 000 apprentices were at
work in the industry.
New
Concept
Mining
hereby
congratulates
SEIFSA
on
it’s
75 th
anniversary!
We
have
been
associated
with
SEIFSA
for
the
past
20
years
and
during
this
Eme
we
have
experienced
many
fruiHul
intervenEons.
SEIFSA
has
always
demonstrated
professionalism
and
assisted
by
providing
guidance
and
support
in
the
total
realm
of
employee
management.
SEIFSA
must
also
be
commended
for
the
Ereless
work
done
during
wage
negoEaEons.
We
are
proud
to
be
associated
with
SEIFSA
and
wish
them
all
the
best
in
the
years
to
come.
New concept Mining ad
SEIFSA AT 75 - SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE MAGAZINE
25