Chemical Industry (Glass and Petroleum Sectors) Collective Agreements Extended to Non-Parties
On 12 December 2025, the Department of Employment and Labour issued two significant notices in the Government Gazette affecting the chemical industry:
- Notice R.6926: Extension of the Glass Sector Collective Agreement to non-parties.
- Notice R.6928: Extension of the Petroleum Sector Collective Agreement to non-parties.
Both notices aim to standardise employment conditions across their respective industries, ensuring fair labour practices and compliance with negotiated standards. However, the agreements differ in scope, focus areas, and operational impact.
Both agreements come into effect on 22 December 2025, with the Glass Sector Agreement effective until 30 June 2027, and the Petroleum Sector Agreement effective until 30 June 2028.
The Glass Sector Agreement:
- Sets minimum wage levels for various job categories within glass manufacturing and processing.
- Establishes standard working hours and overtime provisions specific to glass production environments.
- Regulates leave entitlements including annual leave, sick leave, and family responsibility leave aligned with sector norms.
- Emphasises compliance with occupational safety standards due to high-risk glass handling processes.
- Encourages upskilling initiatives to maintain quality and safety standards within the sector.
The Petroleum Sector Agreement:
- Introduces structured wage increases linked to inflation and productivity benchmarks.
- Addresses compensation for night shifts and hazardous working conditions common in petroleum operations.
- Mandates employer contributions to retirement and medical schemes.
- Has a strong focus on environmental regulations and safety protocols due to chemical exposure risks.
- Provides detailed procedures for resolving labour disputes within the petroleum industry.
While the Petroleum Sector Agreement places greater emphasis on hazard allowances and environmental compliance (reflecting the sector’s higher risk profile) the Glass Sector Agreement focuses more on physical safety and handling standards. Petroleum sector employees gain broader benefits, including provident fund contributions and medical aid, whereas the Glass Sector Agreement prioritises leave and training provisions. Petroleum wages are linked to inflation and productivity, while glass sector wages follow fixed scales based on job categories. Finally, the Petroleum Sector Agreement includes formalised dispute resolution frameworks, which are less detailed in the Glass Sector Agreement.
As a result of the promulgation of these notices, non-party employers in both sectors must align with these agreements, which may increase operational costs and administrative responsibilities, while workers benefit from improved conditions, standardised wages, and enhanced safety measures.
These extensions create a level playing field, reducing unfair competition and promoting compliance with labour standards across the chemical industry.
