Terms of Service

These Terms of Service govern your use of the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) website and related services.

Last Updated: July 2, 2025

By accessing and using our website, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and all applicable laws and regulations.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, or using the MEIBC website (www.meibc.co.za), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use our website or services.

These terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use our website, including but not limited to those who submit contact forms, subscribe to newsletters, or download information.

2. About MEIBC

The Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) is a statutory body established under the Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act No. 66 of 1995). We are constituted by employer organizations and trade unions in the metal and engineering industries.

Our website provides information about our services, industry developments, collective agreements, and various resources for stakeholders in the metal and engineering industries.

3. Website Use and Access

3.1 Permitted Use

You may use our website for:

  • Accessing information about MEIBC services and activities
  • Downloading publicly available documents and resources
  • Submitting legitimate inquiries through our contact forms
  • Subscribing to our newsletter for updates and information
  • Viewing news, circulars, and announcements
  • Accessing collective agreements and industry information

3.2 Prohibited Use

You must not use our website for:

  • Any unlawful purpose or activity
  • Transmitting viruses, malware, or other harmful code
  • Attempting to gain unauthorized access to our systems
  • Interfering with the proper functioning of the website
  • Submitting false, misleading, or spam content through forms
  • Harvesting email addresses or other personal information
  • Using automated scripts or bots to access the website
  • Violating any applicable laws or regulations

3.3 Account Security

If any part of our website requires user accounts or login credentials, you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login information and for all activities that occur under your account.

4. Contact Forms and Communications

4.1 Contact Form Usage

When using our contact forms, you agree to:

  • Provide accurate and truthful information
  • Use the forms only for legitimate business inquiries
  • Not submit spam, promotional content, or irrelevant messages
  • Respect our staff and maintain professional communication
  • Not submit multiple duplicate requests unnecessarily

4.2 Response Times

While we strive to respond to all inquiries promptly, we do not guarantee specific response times. Response times may vary depending on the nature and complexity of your inquiry.

4.3 Communication Records

We may keep records of communications submitted through our website for customer service, legal compliance, and quality assurance purposes. These records are handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

5. Newsletter Subscription

5.1 Subscription Process

By checking the newsletter subscription checkbox in our contact form:

  • You consent to receive newsletters and updates from MEIBC
  • You confirm that the email address provided is valid and belongs to you
  • You understand that subscription is optional and voluntary
  • You agree to receive communications related to MEIBC activities

5.2 Newsletter Content

Our newsletters may include:

  • Industry news and updates
  • MEIBC announcements and circulars
  • Information about collective agreements
  • Training and development opportunities
  • Event notifications and invitations
  • Relevant legislative and regulatory updates

5.3 Unsubscription

You may unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any newsletter email, contacting us directly, or sending an email to info@meibc.co.za with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.

6. Intellectual Property Rights

6.1 MEIBC Content

All content on this website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, documents, and software, is the property of MEIBC or its content suppliers and is protected by South African and international copyright laws.

6.2 Permitted Use of Content

You may:

  • View and download content for personal, non-commercial use
  • Print single copies of pages for personal reference
  • Share links to our website content
  • Quote brief excerpts with proper attribution

6.3 Prohibited Use of Content

You may not:

  • Reproduce, distribute, or republish website content without permission
  • Use content for commercial purposes without written consent
  • Modify, adapt, or create derivative works from our content
  • Remove or alter copyright notices or attributions
  • Use MEIBC logos or trademarks without authorization
7. User Content and Submissions

7.1 Content Standards

Any content you submit through our website (including contact forms, comments, or feedback) must:

  • Be accurate and truthful
  • Not violate any laws or regulations
  • Not infringe on third-party rights
  • Not contain offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content
  • Not include spam, advertising, or promotional material
  • Be relevant to the purpose of the submission

7.2 License to Use Submissions

By submitting content to our website, you grant MEIBC a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use, reproduce, and distribute your submission for business purposes, including responding to your inquiry and improving our services.

7.3 Monitoring and Removal

We reserve the right to monitor, review, and remove any user content that violates these terms or is deemed inappropriate. We are not obligated to monitor all user submissions.

8. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these Terms of Service.

By using our website, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in our Privacy Policy, including information submitted through contact forms and newsletter subscriptions.

We comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and other applicable South African privacy laws.

9. Disclaimers and Limitations

9.1 Information Accuracy

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no warranties or representations about the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information on our website. Information may be subject to change without notice.

9.2 Website Availability

We do not guarantee that our website will be available at all times or free from technical issues. We may temporarily suspend or restrict access for maintenance, updates, or other operational reasons.

9.3 Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of use of external websites. Use of third-party websites is at your own risk.

9.4 Legal Advice Disclaimer

Information provided on our website is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal matters, please consult with qualified legal professionals.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, MEIBC shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or related to:

  • Your use of or inability to use our website
  • Any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in website content
  • Unauthorized access to or use of our servers or personal information
  • Any viruses or harmful code that may be transmitted through our website
  • Third-party content or actions
  • Any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from our website

This limitation applies regardless of the legal theory on which the claim is based and even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless MEIBC, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to:

  • Your use of our website
  • Your violation of these Terms of Service
  • Your submission of content through our website
  • Your violation of any third-party rights
  • Any breach of your representations and warranties
12. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your access to our website immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including but not limited to breach of these Terms of Service.

You may also terminate your use of our website at any time by discontinuing your access and use of the site and unsubscribing from any newsletters or communications.

Upon termination, your right to use the website will cease immediately, but the provisions of these Terms of Service that by their nature should survive termination will remain in effect.

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any disputes arising from or relating to these terms or your use of our website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the South African courts.

If any provision of these Terms of Service is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

14. Changes to Terms of Service

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms of Service at any time at our sole discretion. When we make changes:

  • We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page
  • We will post the revised terms on our website
  • Significant changes will be communicated to newsletter subscribers
  • Continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance

It is your responsibility to review these Terms of Service periodically for changes. If you do not agree to the modified terms, you should discontinue your use of our website.

15. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council

Email: info@meibc.co.za

Phone: 011 484 5300

Website: www.meibc.co.za

Address:

MEIBC House
265 West Avenue
Centurion, 0157
South Africa

For privacy-related inquiries, please also refer to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.