In a significant development for the private security industry, the Minister of Employment and Labour has formally extended the National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS) Council Levies Collective Amending Agreement to non-parties. Published in the Government Gazette on 30 March 2026, the extension means that the amended levy obligations are now legally binding on all employers operating within the registered scope of the private security sector, regardless of whether they belong to an employers’ organisation party to the Council.

Background to the Extension

While bargaining council levy systems are not new, this extension in question is particularly important because it removes any practical distinction between employers inside and outside the NBCPSS framework. Employers who previously operated independently of the Council are now equally bound by the amended levy provisions and compliance obligations introduced through the agreement. The extension was issued in terms of section 32 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), which empowers the Minister to extend bargaining council agreements to non-parties where the required representativity thresholds have been met. In effect, the notice reinforces the state’s continued commitment to centralised collective bargaining and sector-wide regulatory uniformity.

What This Means in Practice

Although the amended agreement contains detailed levy structures and administrative provisions, its practical implications can be broadly grouped into five key areas:

  • Mandatory levy compliance for all employers operating within the NBCPSS scope, including businesses that have never previously participated in the Council framework.
  • Increased financial obligations, requiring employers to reassess budgeting, cash flow management, pricing structures, and operational forecasting to accommodate amended levy contributions.
  • Expanded compliance responsibilities, including registration requirements, submission of returns, adherence to prescribed payment timelines, and potential exposure to enforcement action for non-compliance.
  • Greater enforcement activity by the NBCPSS, as bargaining councils are empowered to monitor sector-wide compliance and recover outstanding levies through formal enforcement mechanisms.
  • Strategic implications for non-party employers, many of whom may now reconsider whether remaining outside the Council structure remains commercially or operationally beneficial when they are nonetheless bound by its financial obligations.

Significance of the Extension

The extension of the NBCPSS levy agreement is more than a technical administrative amendment. It has direct operational and financial consequences for employers across the private security industry, particularly small and medium-sized businesses operating on narrow margins in an increasingly competitive environment. By extending the agreement to non-parties, the Minister has effectively ensured that no employer within the sector can avoid participation in the levy framework simply by remaining outside bargaining council structures. The move is aimed at strengthening the NBCPSS’s ability to perform its statutory functions, including dispute resolution, compliance monitoring, collective bargaining administration, and sector regulation. At an industry level, the extension seeks to promote consistency, improve regulatory enforcement, and support labour stability in a sector historically affected by non-compliance and uneven labour practices. However, compliant employers may continue to face pressure from informal or non-compliant operators who unlawfully evade regulatory obligations, highlighting the importance of robust enforcement by the Council.

Practical Steps for Employers

Employers operating within the private security sector should urgently:

  • Review the amended NBCPSS levy provisions and confirm whether their operations fall within the Council’s registered scope.
  • Assess the financial impact of the amended levies on payroll, budgeting, and pricing models.
  • Update payroll and accounting systems to ensure accurate calculation and payment of levies.
  • Ensure compliance with NBCPSS registration, reporting, and payment obligations.

Conclusion

The extension of the NBCPSS Council Levies Collective Amending Agreement sends a clear message that sector-wide bargaining council obligations will be enforced uniformly across the private security industry. Employers who proactively assess their obligations, strengthen compliance systems, and integrate the amended levy requirements into their operational planning will be better positioned to avoid disputes, penalties, and unnecessary financial exposure in the months ahead.

We encourage employers, IR/HR professionals, and legal practitioners to engage with these developments and share their insights.