The Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI) has concluded a new three-year settlement for two of its collective agreements in the civil engineering sector. Officially signed on Monday 4 August 2025, by employer organisations – the Consolidated Employees Organisation of South Africa (CEO) and the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) – together with trade unions – the Building, Construction and Allied Workers Union (BCAWU) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) – this milestone comes at a time when South Africa’s economy is under pressure and infrastructure investment remains constrained. It provides much-needed stability and certainty for both employers and employees.

The two agreements – the Wage and Task Grade Collective Agreement and the Conditions of Employment Collective Agreement – will take effect once gazetted by the Minister of Employment and Labour and remain in place for three years. These agreements are expected to reinforce industrial stability, safeguard jobs and enable more effective long-term planning. The current agreements, which will expire on 31 August 2025, have been extended to 28 February 2026 and will be superseded by the new ones upon promulgation.

Kevin Moodley, Acting General Secretary of the BCCEI, emphasises that the conclusion of negotiations and the signing of these agreements reflect the maturity of industrial relations in the sector. He emphasises that this outcome gives employers the confidence to plan ahead, while ensuring that workers’ employment conditions are protected during what remains a highly challenging period.

The negotiation process was marked by extensive engagement between employer organisations and organised labour. Driven by a shared objective, the parties worked toward a balanced outcome that supports sustainability, affordability and fairness, ensuring the sector remains resilient in the face of economic headwinds.

Wage adjustments

In terms of wage adjustments, all employees covered by the new Wage and Task Grade Collective Agreement will receive an across-the-board increase of 6% in the first year, followed by increases of 5.5% in the second and third years, respectively.

Changes to the Conditions of Employment Collective Agreement include a reduction in the eligibility period for maternity benefits from 24 months to 18 months, with all other terms of this benefit remaining unchanged. The agreement also introduces a food component into the living out allowance, while the sleepout allowance has been increased.

Moodley notes that the agreements have been welcomed by the employer constituency as a vital enabler of business continuity. In an industry that is both highly competitive and unpredictable, multi-year agreements are seen as essential for maintaining stability and supporting operational planning. This outcome, he says, strengthens business viability and helps preserve employment.

Labour representatives have similarly endorsed the agreements for upholding workers’ rights while supporting recovery and retention. Moodley adds that the agreements protect employees’ interests while recognising the economic challenges the industry continues to face. He describes the outcome as forward-looking, one that enhances job security and supports the future of the sector.

As a statutory body established under the Labour Relations Act, the BCCEI plays a vital role in regulating employment conditions, fostering social dialogue and maintaining a stable labour environment within the civil engineering sector. The Council remains committed to promoting sectoral growth and compliance through transparent and inclusive engagement.

The new agreements will be available on the BCCEI website for reference. Once gazetted by the Department of Employment and Labour, these will become binding and the updated versions will also be published online.