A new collective agreement for South Africa’s road freight and logistics industry calls for South African truck drivers to be prioritised when employers recruit drivers.
The agreement specifically addresses the employment of foreign nationals and states that employers must not employ foreign nationals contrary to applicable legislation regulating the employment of foreign nationals.
But it goes further by stating that the industry must prioritise South African drivers.
The agreement says this is based on the position that driving is not a scarce skill within the industry and that there is no shortage of drivers.
What does the agreement say about foreign drivers?
The provision does not state that foreign nationals are completely prohibited from working as truck drivers in South Africa.
Instead, it requires employers to comply with legislation governing the employment of foreign nationals while establishing a policy position that South African drivers should receive priority.
That distinction is important.
The wording means transport companies will still need to comply with the applicable legal requirements when employing foreign nationals, while the collective agreement calls for South African drivers to be prioritised.
A major issue for the road freight industry
The employment of foreign truck drivers has become a highly contentious issue in South Africa’s transport industry, with driver shortages, employment opportunities and compliance with immigration and labour laws regularly forming part of the debate.
The new agreement places the issue directly into the industry’s collective bargaining framework.
For South African truck drivers looking for work, the provision could therefore become an important development if it is implemented as agreed.
Part of a wider three-year agreement
The foreign-national provision is one of several changes contained in the new collective agreement between road freight employers’ organisations and trade unions.
The agreement will cover the period from 1 March 2027 to 28 February 2030.
Other major changes include three annual wage increases, a new wage category for Super Heavy Motor Vehicle Drivers operating vehicles between 56 tonnes and 150 tonnes GCM, and new provisions dealing with deductions for vehicle damage and in-cab cameras.
For South African truckers, however, one of the most closely watched provisions could be the call for the industry to prioritise local drivers when filling driving positions.
The agreement’s wording is clear on the priority it wants the industry to give South African drivers, but the practical impact will depend on how the provision is implemented and applied by employers.
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