Programme Director: Dr Jay Mannie

General Secretary of National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry : Ms Ilhaam Ryneveld

General Secretary of National Union of Leather and Allied Workers: Mr. Ashley Benjamin

Treasurer of National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry representing Southern African Footwear and Leather Industries Association: Mr. Noel Whitehead

Executive Director of South African Tanning Employers Organization- SATEO: Ms. Charine Smith

Chairperson of Association of Luggage, Handbags & General Goods):Ms Aatiyah Perry

General Secretary of Southern African Clothing and textile Workers Union -SACTWU: Ms Bonita Loubsher

CCMA Director: Mr Mpumelelo Nconco

Distinguished leaders of industry and labour Esteemed representatives of government,

Valued partners from the International Labour Organisation, and Honoured guests.

Today, we stand at a remarkable intersection of history and possibility.

We gather not merely to mark a date on the calendar, but to celebrate one hundred years of an institution that has been the bedrock of social dialogue in the leather and footwear industry. For a century, the National Bargaining Council has served as the vital bridge between employers and workers, fostering the conditions for stability, compliance and shared prosperity.

As we honour this centenary, we recognise that the Council has been far more than a forum for negotiation. It has been the guardian of fair labour standards, the architect of harmonious industrial relations and the catalyst for creating productive and sustainable enterprises that generate meaningful employment across our sector. This legacy of constructive engagement provides the foundation upon which we now build our shared future.

Alignment with National Priorities

The work of this Council resonates profoundly with the broader mission of the Department of Employment and Labour.

Together with the ILO through the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work Programme and in close collaboration with ProductivitySA, we have prioritised the leather and footwear sector precisely because of its strategic importance. This is a labour-intensive industry, anchored by a significant SMME base, with immense potential to advance our national goals of localisation, employment creation and the expansion of decent work opportunities.

Transforming Enterprises from Within

Our support at the enterprise level has been both comprehensive and transformative. Through ProductivitySA, we have extended assistance to over one hundred enterprises, focusing on areas critical to sustainable success: workplace cooperation, productivity enhancement, quality improvement, efficiency gains

and the continuous betterment of management practices and working conditions.

However, the true distinction of this approach lies in its collaborative spirit. It brings management and workers together around a common table, not as adversaries, but as problem-solvers identifying challenges and co-creating practical solutions. Our fundamental proposition has been this: that productivity and decent work are not competing priorities but mutually reinforcing pillars of a thriving enterprise. We have sought to demonstrate, through tangible results, that investing in workers and improving working conditions is not a cost to be managed but a source of competitive advantage to be cultivated.

Building Enduring Capacity

Crucially, our partnership has focused on strengthening local capacity to ensure these gains endure. The Productivity for Decent Work approach drawing on ILO methodologies and the proven experience of ProductivitySA's Workplace Challenge has been embedded within ProductivitySA itself.

This institutionalisation provides a robust and lasting foundation for the continued delivery and scaling of enterprise support, ensuring that the benefits extend well beyond the lifespan of any individual project.

Connecting Productivity to Markets

Yet even the most efficient enterprise cannot succeed in isolation. Productivity improvements must connect to market opportunities. Our support has therefore encompassed export readiness, design and product development, market access and stronger linkages between manufacturers and buyers.

A recent example of this integrated approach was the ILO-supported engagement with South African Footwear and Leather Industry Association (SAFLIA), which brought thirteen South African footwear manufacturers into direct dialogue with major retailers through a buyer showcase and targeted factory visits. These manufacturers collectively employ over 3,700 workers, the majority of them women.

Importantly, all participating manufacturers reported compliance with the National Bargaining Council for the Leather Industry (NBCLI) as part of the onboarding process.

This experience crystallises a crucial insight: that compliance, productivity and market access must be considered together. A compliant, productive local manufacturer deserves a fair opportunity to access retail and other markets. Conversely, retailers require confidence in the capability, quality, reliability and compliance of their local suppliers. This mutual assurance is the bedrock upon which sustainable trade relationships are built.

Confronting Illicit Trade

We must also confront the challenges that threaten this progress. Through the ILO programme, we have deepened our understanding of the devastating impact of illegal and counterfeit footwear and leather products on legitimate manufacturers, SMMEs, investment and jobs.

Addressing this illicit trade demands coordinated action among government, enforcement institutions, industry, workers and bodies such as the Bargaining Council. Fair competition is not merely a commercial ideal; it is a vital safeguard for our productive capacity and the decent jobs that depend upon it.

The Imperative of a Systems Approach

However, enterprise-level interventions alone are insufficient. We need stronger links between what happens on the factory floor, the institutions that serve the sector, access to markets, skills development, finance and the broader policy environment. The challenges we face are interconnected and our responses must be equally holistic.

Looking Ahead: Phase II and a Renewed Vision

This systems perspective is central to our forward-looking strategy.

The Department of Employment and Labour and the ILO continue to prioritise the leather and footwear sector through Phase II of the Productivity Ecosystems for Decent Work in South Africa. This phase places greater emphasis on the institutions that can sustain and scale our results.

It envisages closer collaboration among SAFLIA, South African Footwear and Leather Export Council. (SAFLEC), the National Bargaining Council, workers' organisations, ProductivitySA, skills institutions, government, manufacturers and buyers. For the Bargaining Council, this presents a singular opportunity to deepen its role, not only as a collective bargaining institution but also as a dynamic platform for social dialogue on productivity, compliance, skills development, workplace cooperation, working conditions and the future competitiveness of our industry.

A Call to Action for the Next Century

As the Council enters its second century, the challenge before us is clear and compelling. We must build on this partnership to strengthen productive and compliant enterprises, support workers and skills development, expand markets for South African manufacturers, address unfair competition decisively and ensure that improved competitiveness translates into sustainable enterprises and decent jobs for all.

The legacy of the past one hundred years provides us with the wisdom of experience. The partnerships we have forged give us the strength for the journey ahead. The Department looks forward to continuing this vital work with the National Bargaining Council, organised labour, employers, ProductivitySA, the ILO and all our industry partners.

Let us move forward together with purpose, with determination and with the shared conviction that the next century of social dialogue will be a testament to our collective commitment to decent work, sustainable enterprise and a prosperous future for all who labour in this proud and essential sector.

Thank you.​

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