EWN reports that according to Labour Registrar Advocate Lehlohonolo Molefe, over 200 South African unions have to change their constitutions to include balloting before strikes are declared or face deregistration.  

In terms of legislative amendments that were implemented in January, the constitution of every trade union has to include a provision on balloting all its members if it intends to strike.  Molefe noted that the new regulations were rejected by some trade unions, including the country’s biggest labour organisation, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa).  But he commented:  "I don’t have a mandate in law to try to negotiate and find other ways.  I’ll have to apply what the law says.  That’s it, unfortunately.  Either they register or cancel the registration, those are the only option I have in law."

• Read the original of Theto Mahlakoana’s short report on the above at EWN
• Watch too, SA has a new Labour Registrar and here's what he plans to do, at EWN (video)

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page