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Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995)

Notices

Bargaining Council for the Meat Trade, Gauteng

Main Collective Agreement to Non-Parties

23. Sick Benefit Fund

 

(1) The operation of the Fund established under Government Notice R1187, dated 9 July 1971 and known as "The Sick Benefit Fund for Retail Meat Trade" or the "Fund" is hereby continued.

 

(2) The Fund shall consist of—
(a) moneys accruing from contributions as prescribed in subclause (11);
(b) interest on investments;
(c) any other money to which the Fund may become entitled.

 

(3) The objects of the Fund shall be to grant benefits to members in accordance with the Rules of the Fund as determined from time to time by the Council in relation to—
(a) assisting members with medical and surgical attention designed to promote or preserve good health of them or their dependants;
(b) entering into arrangements, if deemed necessary, by way of contract or contracts with medical practitioners, specialists, hospitals, nursing homes or any organisations providing medicines or medical or pharmaceutical services, any registered insurance company or companies or any organisation engaged in providing similar benefits;
(c) doing all such things as are necessary, incidental or conducive to the welfare of members and their dependants and to the attainment of the aforementioned objects.

 

(4) Membership of the Fund—
(a) Membership of the Fund is compulsory for all employees other than a cashier, butchery assistant and shop assistant;
(b) Employers who are members of the Employers' Organisation are eligible for voluntary membership of the Fund in terms of the Rules of the Fund.

 

(5) Every member referred to in subclause (4) shall—
(a) complete the form prescribed by the Council, and lodge such completed form with the Secretary within 14 days of the date employment in or re-entering the Trade; and
(b) provide any additional information or documentary evidence as the Council may require.

 

(6) The Council may, in its discretion, admit any person for whom membership is not compulsory in terms of subclause(4)(a) to voluntary membership of the Fund in terms of the Rules of the Fund

 

(7) Membership shall terminate—
(a) concurrently with the termination of employment in the Trade in the case of a member referred to in subclause (4)(a): Provided that the Council may permit such member to retain his membership as if he were a voluntary member in terms of subclause (6) and under such conditions as the Council may determine;
(b) by one months' notice, in writing, being given by either the Council or a voluntary member referred to in subclause (6).

 

(8) Any ex-member of the Fund shall not be entitled to any benefits subsequent to date on which the last contribution was received by the Council.

 

(9) Any ex-member re-admitted to membership of the Fund, is to be regarded as an entirely new member unless otherwise decided by the Council.

 

(10) Contributions to the Fund shall be payable in respect of membership for—
(a) each completed calendar month of employment with an employer or voluntary membership of the Fund, as the case may be;
(b) part of a month of employment with an employer being not less than 15 days in any month: Provided that if an employee has been employed by more than one employer in any month and employment with the current employer terminated before the 15th day of the month, the current employer is responsible to deduct and pay over the full contribution due : Provided further that if employment with the last employer commenced on or before the 15th day of the month, the last employer is responsible to deduct and pay contributions payable.

 

(11)

(a) Every employer shall deduct half the amount detailed in the schedule below from the the wages payable to each employee referred to in subclause 4(a) and add to it the other half of the amount detailed in the said schedule: Provided that in the case of a trainee meat cutting technician the employer shall pay the full contribution, ie no deduction may be made from the wages of any trainee meat cutting technician;
(b) The employer shall ensure that contributions, as detailed in the Schedule below, are received at the Council's address by no later than the 7th day of each succeeding month together with the form prescribed by the Council.

 

SCHEDULE

CONTRIBUTIONS

Membership Category

 

SINGLE MEMBER

R 540.00

MEMBER + 1 ADULT DEPENDANT

R 775.00

MEMBER + 1 CHILD DEPENDANT

R 775.00

MEMBER + 1 ADULT + 1 CHILD DEPENDANT

R 800.00

MEMBER + 2 CHILD DEPENDANTS

R 800.00

MEMBER + 1 ADULT + 2 CHILD DEPENDANTS

R 825.00

MEMBER + 3 CHILD DEPENDANTS

R 825.00

MEMBER + 1 ADULT + 3 CHILD DEPENDANTS

R 860.00

SINGLE PENSIONER

R 500.00

PENSIONER + 1 ADULT DEPENDANT

R 740.00

PENSIONER + MORE THAN 1 DEPENDANT

on request

[Clause 23 Schedule substituted by section 3 of Notice No. R. 4778, GG50609, dated 3 May 2024]

 

(12) The Council shall administer the Fund in accordance with the Rules of the Fund, which Rules may not be inconsistent with the 'provisions of this Agreement or the Act and shall, inter alia, prescribe—
(a) the Fund's benefits and the qualifications attaching thereto;
(b) the procedure for lodging claims and the payment of claims;
(c) any other matter the Council may decide.

 

(13) The Council may, at any time, alter or repeal any existing Rules of the Fund or make new rules and every member of the Fund may request a copy of the Rules and amendments.

 

(14) The Council shall lodge copies of the Rules of the Fund and any amendments thereto with the Director General of the Department of Labour.

 

(15) All money received by the Council on behalf of the Fund shall be deposited in a separate banking account in the name of the Fund.

 

(16) All payments from the Fund shall be by electronic transfer or by cheque drawn on the Fund's account and signed by two authorised signatories.

 

(17) All expenses incurred in connection with the administration of the Fund are to be charged to the Fund.