No 28 Riley Road, off Overport Drive, Essenwood, Durban, South Africa
PO Box 18231, Dalbridge, 4014, South Africa
Telephone: +27 31 2073313 / 3012680 Fax: +27 31 3010231
Email: clothes@ucta.co.zaChairperson:
Mr. Paruk
Email: ahmedparuk@edengroup.co.za
Cell: 0829666674 / 0313012680
Introduction
The United Clothing and Textile Association (UCTA) was formed to bring together, under one umbrella organisation, the various national clothing and textile organisations and allow this sector, which is currently non-compliant, to speak and engage with labour, government and within the industry as a unified collective.
Each of the various organisations such as: The Newcastle Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the KZN CMT Forum, the Free State Clothing Association, and any other organisation that joins UCTA, will retain their independence.
However, such organisations or individual companies that join UCTA, will be expected to endorse the policies of UCTA as per its constitution.
The objective of UCTA is to promote the interests of its members, to affiliate with and participate in the affairs of any local and international employers’ organisation and to promote, support or oppose any proposed legislative or other measures affecting the interests of its members.
Membership to UCTA is open to any employer in the clothing and textile manufacturing industry in the Republic of South Africa. The United Clothing and Textile Association has a governing interim constitution and committee, of which, Mr. Ahmed Paruk, is the elected Chairperson, and Mr. Alex Liu is Vice-Chairperson.
The United Clothing and Textile Association feels that it has a legitimate voice and wishes to have meaningful dialogue with the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) and the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry.
UCTA’s current priority is to find an equable and sustainable solution to the current “Phase-in Compliance Policy.”
The South African Clothing and Textile Sector
UCTA believes that the South African clothing and textile sector can contribute to sustainable manufacturing output, create employment opportunities and skills development and have a meaningful contribution to the economy if it is allowed to operate unburdened by polices that have a detrimental effect on its operational abilities.
UCTA is against exploitation of labour and agrees with most of the terms of the International Labour Organisation’s Decent Work strategy which is centered on people.[1]
UCTA believes that if action is taken against the hundreds of clothing companies that cannot meet the terms of the “Phase-in Compliance Policy”, thousands more people in South Africa will find themselves unemployed and the financial consequences will prove to be devastating to families, communities and the local and national economy.
Research in industrial relations and union roles indicates that domestic wage-led growth and strategies that are in line with labour productivity are the best route when it comes to collective wage bargaining.[2]
UCTA supports and endorses the initial wage proposal, (which was rejected by SACTWU) that was placed on the negotiating table by the Newcastle representatives. The proposal linked wages to productivity output and UCTA believes that this is still the most suitable option for the clothing sector.
If any company is interested in joining the United Clothing and Textile Association please contact us for a membership form.
Written by The ReDress Consultancy
@ Updated February 2011
[1] Workers’ Activities Programme (ACTRAV) ILO International Training Centre
[2] Ghosh, J., What does wage-led growth mean in developing countries with large informal employment?, Global Laobur Colum, (34), October 2010
Video: The ReDress Consultancy speaks to UCTA's interim Committee.
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