SEIFSA is represented on the following external bodies:

• Business Unity South Africa (Busa).
• Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
• Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-Based Industries (CEEMET).
• Customs and VAT Enforcement Caucus.
• Electricity Intensive Users Forum.
• Eskom Task Group on Electricity.
• Eskom, SEIFSA and Structural Forum for the Overseeing of Development in the Eskom Build Programme.
• Fund for Research into Industrial Development, Growth and Equity Committee of Nedlac.
• Fundi Training Centre Governing Body.
• Institute of Safety Management.
• International Trade Administration Commission. 
• Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta (Merseta).
• Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC).
• Metal Industries Benefit Funds Administrators (Mibfa).
• National Economic, Development and Labour Council (Nedlac).
• National Skills Authority (NSA).
• South African Institute of Iron and Steel Downstream Development Committee.
• Technical Sectoral Liaison Committee on Trade Agreements of Nedlac.

SEIFSA, through its membership of these bodies, is able to influence business and policy makers at the highest level and to represent the interests of members. This is aligned to the federation's vision: to add value to our members as the recognised voice of the metal and engineering industry.

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA)

Business Unity South Africa (Busa) participates in a wide range of forums and structures that shape the nature of our regulatory environment. In particular, Busa plays an active role in Nedlac and is involved in the current processes to review the institution.

Internationally, Busa is a member of the International Organisation of Employers, the Pan-African Employers’ Confederation, and the Southern African Development Community Employers’ Group. Busa is also the official representative of business at the International Labour Organisation, African Union Social Affairs Commission and the World Trade Organisation. 

SEIFSA plays an active role in most of Busa’s activities and initiatives, including the following:

• Standing Committee on Economic Policy
  

SEIFSA is represented on the Busa Standing Committee on Economic Policy by Michael McDonald, SEIFSA’s economic and commercial executive. The committee serves mainly as the employer caucus for Nedlac’s Trade and Industry Chamber, Public Finance and Monetary Policy Chamber and the Development Chamber.

• Sub-Committee on Education and Training

SEIFSA is represented on this committee by Janet Lopes, SEIFSA’s skills development executive. The committee acts as a joint employer body to examine and make recommendations on policy matters in the field of skills development.

• Standing Committee on Social Policy

David Carson, SEIFSA’s CEO, and Lucio Trentini, SEIFSA’s industrial relations executive, serve as members of this committee.

Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA)

David Carson, SEIFSA’s CEO, serves on the Governing Body of the CCMA.

International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC)

SEIFSA's economic and commercial executive, Michael McDonald, serves as chairperson and commissioner on the International Trade Administration Commission.

Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta (MERSETA)

• Governing Board

SEIFSA is represented on the Governing Board by Janet Lopes, Guy Harris and William Nsele.

• Executive Committee

Janet Lopes and Guy Harris represent SEIFSA on the Merseta Executive Committee.

• Audit Committee

Chris Murray serves on the Merseta Audit Committee.

Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC)

The Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) is the forum created by SEIFSA and the industry trade unions to facilitate the industry wage and employment conditions negotiations and to administer and enforce the various collective agreements arising from this process.

SEIFSA serves the membership’s interests on the following structures and committees:

• The Management Committee

This committee controls the activities of the bargaining council and determines its strategic direction and focus.

• The National Finance and Administration Committee

This committee controls the council’s administrative and financial functions and responsibilities.

• The National Standing Committee

This committee is responsible for negotiating various issues arising from the industry’s Settlement Agreement and other technical issues which arise relating to the industry’s Main Agreement.

• The Regional Councils

SEIFSA’s regional managers and appointed employer representatives serve on the council’s regional structures. These regional councils are responsible for the administration of the MEIBC’s functions in the various regions falling under the scope of jurisdiction of the bargaining council.

Metal Industries Benefit Funds Administrators (MIBFA)

SEIFSA is represented on MIBFA’s Board of Directors and on the Boards of Management of the four industry benefit funds, namely:

• Engineering Industries Pension Fund (EIPF)
• Metal Industries Provident Fund (MIPF)
• Metal and Engineering Industries Permanent Disability Scheme (PDS)
• Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council Sick Pay Fund (SPF)

SEIFSA represents 50% of the membership of each of these bodies, with the industry’s trade unions making up the balance.

National Economic, Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC)

Nedlac provides a forum for government together with organised business, labour and community groups to meet at national level to engage on issues of social and economic policy. Nedlac’s aim is to make economic decision-making more inclusive and to promote the goals of economic growth and social equity. Organised business is represented by Business Unity South Africa (Busa) of which SEIFSA is a member.

SEIFSA serves the business and membership’s interests on the following Nedlac committees:

• National Demarcation Committee

David Carson, SEIFSA’s CEO, is a business representative on Nedlac’s Demarcation Standing Committee. This committee provides a forum where all formal applications for demarcation between bargaining councils and various demarcation issues and disputes between sectors and bargaining councils are considered and determined.

• Labour Market Chamber

David Carson, SEIFSA’s CEO, is a business representative on Nedlac’s Labour Market Chamber. The chamber provides a forum where the social partners are able to engage in meaningful debate around proposed amendments to labour legislation and planned changes to the country’s labour market policy.

• Trade and Industry Chamber

Michael McDonald, SEIFSA’s economic and commercial executive, is a business representative on the Trade and Industry Chamber of Nedlac. The chamber debated various industrial policy options and alternatives during the year under review.

National Skills Authority (NSA)

Janet Lopes, SEIFSA’s skills development executive, represents business on the National Skills Authority, which is the strategic policy body on skills development matters in South Africa.