Association News

ASSOCIATION NEWS

SASA UPDATE

All about the Security Association of South Africa

What is SASA?

The Security Association of South Africa (SASA) is a professional not-forprofit organisation that advocates, promotes and drives industry compliance within South Africa’s private security industry.

SASA is also the largest employers’ association in the security sector, providing a range of services that benefit employers, employees and consumers.

Established more than 50 years ago, SASA is a staunch advocate of industry compliance, serving as a resource for its members, an educational platform for consumers, and an important link between the private security industry and government.

SASA, which is nationally recognised by the SA government, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and consumers, only grants membership to companies with proven track records and which abide by its strict code of ethics.

SASA Hotline:

SASA is committed to driving compliance in the security industry and encourages members to report contraventions or complaints on its hotline: 0800 005 911

Dispute Resolution

The recently established National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS) will, once the structures have been fully established, handle all labour relations disputes, but – in the interim – the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), will continue to fulfil this function.

Compliance The NBCPSS is already in the process of establishing its Compliance Division, which will be conducting routine and complaint-driven inspections, with the first group of “agents” (inspectors) already officially appointed and on board.

These agents will initially focus on registering the more than 10,000 PSIRA registered and active security service providers with the NBCPSS, so that the statutory levies, R7.00 per employee and matched equally by the employer, can be collected to enable the Council to have the funding to fulfil its legal mandate.

This Division will conduct compliance inspections and will have the statutory powers of “search and seizure” with regard to compliance with the Main Agreement of the NBCPSS. The Council will also have the mandate to audit payrolls, to ensure that every security service provider abides by the minimum conditions of the Main Agreement relating to monthly remuneration levels, employment benefits and conditions of employment.

The Council is empowered to issue claims for underpayment and, following due process, obtain writs of execution against defaulting employers, which will be exercised by the Sheriff of the Court to attach company assets in settlement of such amounts owing to affected employees. This will greatly improve the level of compliance in the private security sector and in eradicating the gross exploitation that currently exists in our sector.

Benefits of SASA membership:

• A strictly applied Code of Ethics

• Representation at national and local government level

• Industry exposure in the media as well as at major shows and exhibitions

• Contacts and networking opportunities

• Discounted training courses, events and seminars

• Access to a security library managed by UNISA

• Updates on new legislation and other industry-relevant information

• Access to security-related and affiliated associations in South Africa and overseas

• The SASA national website

• A central administration office

• Free subscription to Security Focus Africa magazine, the official journal of SASA

• A mentorship programme which is designed to guide and assist start-up security companies with attaining the compliance standards required to qualify for Gold Membership

Peace Clause

It must also be stressed that the Protocol Agreement concluded between the two participating employer organisations (SASA being the largest) and the 23 participating trade unions at the Bargaining Council contains a “peace clause” in terms of which none of those unions may enter into shop-floor negotiations with any member (in good standing) of the participating employer organisations in respect of any matter which had been tabled, negotiated or traded off at the most recent wage negotiation process. This is a “life saver” clause for a SASA member and a serious threat to any company that is not a member of SASA.

Bargaining Council Legislation

The relevant legislation and collective agreements concluded between “organised employers” and “organised labour”, as above, can be found and downloaded from the SASA website at www.sasecurity.co.za under the Governing Legislation tab on the home page.

These are critically important documents and ignorance of the contents thereof will be no excuse if your company is found to be non-compliant with either the Main Agreement or Levies Agreement.

NBCPSS Training

SASA offers training in the correct interpretation and application of the NBCPSS legislation. Please contact them for further information.

The NBCPSS can be contacted via their website at www.nbcpss.org.za.

For more information about what SASA does and how it can help you and your company, please contact Tony Botes, SASA National Administrator, at: Tel: 0861 100 680 / 083 650 4981 Email: info@sasecurity.co.za Website: www.sasecurity.co.za